Public Act 295 of 1994 created the Sex Offender Registry and requires persons convicted of certain sex offenses to be listed on the Registry in order to allow our communities to be aware of potential hazards to the safety of our children. Section 28.734 and 28.735 prohibit individuals listed on the Registry (with some exceptions) from loitering, residing, or working within a “Student Safety Zone”. A Student Safety Zone is defined in the statute as “the area that lies 1,000 feet or less from school property.” “School” is further defined as a public, private, denominational, or parochial school offering developmental kindergarten, kindergarten, or any grade from 1 through 12. School does not include a home school. “School property” means a building, facility, structure, or real property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by a school (except those owned or leased by a school but no longer used) for the purpose of imparting educational instruction or used by students no more than 19 years of age for sports or other recreational activities.
Click on the links below to display maps of the Student Safety Zones within Kentwood. School property is included that may lay outside the City limits but the 1,000 foot distance reaches into the City.
If you have reason to believe that a sex offender is loitering within a prohibited area or otherwise presents an immediate threat to a child, please call 9-1-1. If you believe that a sex offender is residing or working in a prohibited area, please call the Kentwood Police Community Service Bureau at (616) 656-6560 with your information (voicemail after business hours) so that an investigation can be conducted. You may also submit a tip through the Offender Watch website by clicking here.
Resources: