Lyon County has more than 160 registered sexual, violent or drug offenders, with many residing here in Emporia and some living only a couple miles from campus, according to the Lyon County sheriff’s department’s registry list.
Some of the registered offenders have a school address listed in the register. Emporia State reviews this information on a case by case basis to keep students safe, according to Wade Redeker, director of Residential Life.
“As residents are completing their housing contract, they are asked a question regarding their criminal history,” Redeker said. “Each person is required to answer the question with a yes or no response. If someone answers yes, they must describe the crime details, including relevant facts of the infraction and sentencing. The information provided is reviewed to determine whether the university’s interests would be best served if the applicant is not permitted to live in the residence halls.”
Jerry Wenciker, an Emporia resident who has rented to registered offenders in the past, says that characteristics of Emporia might attract these people.
“Here in Emporia, they don’t have to pay that much for rent,” Wenciker, a retired principal and ESU alumnus, said. “It’s also easier for them to find jobs that might not do background checks and keep a low profile in a place like Emporia.”
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office works not only to keep the list of registered offenders up to date but also to keep residents informed and safe, according to deputy Jacob Welsh.
“The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office does they best they can with the resources at hand to keep track of registered offenders throughout Lyon County,” Welsh said. “ We attempt to do quarterly checks on offenders to verify their information they give to us is correct. We encourage everyone to stay informed about registered offenders in the area in which they live. If someone knows an offender and sees that information on the current website is not correct, there is a place to submit a tip about the offender and it can be investigated.”
To stay informed on the registered offenders in your area, or to submit a tip or correction, visit the Lyon County Sheriff’s Department’s website and click the registered offenders tab. This is the best course of action to staying safe and knowing your surroundings, according to Lisa Sage, administrative sergeant for the Emporia Police Department.
“There are probably more registered offenders living in communities across the country than most citizens realize,” Sage said. “The EPD encourages citizens to utilize LYSO’s Offender Watch website to educate themselves on offenders living within our community.”
