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11/3/2016 Backlash stops 3 convicted rapists from being moved to group home in Dayton - StarTribune.com <br />"I'm all about second chances," said Steven Rohlfing, a Le Sueur County commissioner. <br />`But these sexual predators took away the dignity from a lot of individuals, and it's not <br />clear that they will ever recover." <br />The local ordinances were quite narrow at first but have grown much broader. The <br />proposed ordinance in Le Sueur County, for example, would bar offenders from living <br />near bus stops, public trails, gyms, libraries, public beaches, hockey rinks and churches, <br />among other areas. Le Sueur's ordinance would even prohibit offenders from living near <br />a privately owned property that is equipped for children's play. <br />Critics argue that the laws force offenders into homelessness, which makes it more <br />difficult for law enforcement to track them. Courts in other states have struck down <br />residency restrictions when they too closely resemble "blanket bans" against offenders. <br />Even so, the laws remain largely unchallenged in Minnesota; which means a growing <br />number of detainees at MSOP's secure treatment center in St. Peter who have been <br />cleared for release remain stuck at the facility. <br />Asked if it is considering a challenge to the local ordinances, DHS said in a statement: <br />"We face the challenge of running a constitutional program that provides safety, security <br />and treatment. In this effort, we cannot rule out any option prematurely." <br />Twitter: @chrisserres <br />chris.serres@startribune.com 612-673-4308 chrisserres <br />http://www.startribune.com/comm unity -backlash -prevents -3 -convicted -rapists -from -bei ng -m oved-to-a-group-home-i n-dayton/399683371/ 2/2 <br />