By AP/KWMU
Granite City, Ill. – Granite City police say they plan to hire a detective to check on registered sex offenders and investigate sex-related crimes.
Mayor Ed Hagnauer says the move is part of the city's crackdown on sex offenders; in all, 89 registered sex offenders in the city of 31,500.
The Granite City Council also has passed an ordinance banning sex offenders convicted of most crimes against children from living within 1,000 feet of schools, parks and public pools. That's more stringent that state law, which requires a distance of 500 feet.
Since Granite City's ordinance took effect, about seven sex offenders have been denied leases in restricted areas.