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Garden City, Anser Charter School resolve flap

A registered sex offender moved after learning that living near ANSER Charter School violated state law.

BY KATHLEEN KRELLER - kkreller@idahostatesman.com

Published: 11/21/09


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ANSER Charter School Administrator Suzanne Burton sent a letter to parents this week telling them that the man, who had been living within 500 feet of the school, no longer lives in the neighborhood.

The problem, according to the letter, was that because the man's victim was not a juvenile, authorities believed he did not fall under a Garden City ordinance that prevents registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school.

But ANSER officials told the city that state law prevents any registered sex offender from living within 500 feet of the school, the letter said.

"We worked closely with Garden City authorities and monitored (the offender's) presence monthly, as we do all registered sex offenders within the area," the letter from Burton read. "We have not had any issues with him, nor any offender."

Garden City police Deputy Chief Rick Allen said patrol sergeants check on registered sex offenders monthly. When the sex offender in this case learned he was in violation of the law, he moved the next day, Allen said.

"The frustrating thing for us is we try very hard to enforce that. We go above and beyond," Allen said. "We knew where he was at and where he was living. We identified him using the city code, which was generally stricter. In this case, the state code was stricter."

The offender was complying with registration requirements and was regularly visited by officers who were not aware he was breaking the law, Allen said.

Burton's letter said officers are now "fully aware of the difference between the state statue and the city ordinance."

Allen said a report has been forwarded to Ada County prosecutors, who will decide whether the offender will be charged.

Burton could not be reached for an interview and did not return several messages.

Kathleen Kreller: 377-6418

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