Mexico board approves curfew, sex offender ordinances

MEXICO — The Planning Board voted Thursday evening to approve a curfew ordinance and a sex offender ordinance drafted by police Chief Roy Hodsdon.

Hodsdon told planners last month that the town has no ordinance restricting where sex offenders can reside.

“Most towns will have an ordinance that states sex offenders can’t live within a certain distance of schools or other public places where kids may be,” Hodsdon said. “Mexico doesn’t have anything like that. When I was appointed chief, I said that one of my goals was to crack down on sex offender violations.”’

After reviewing similar ordinances from Rumford and South Portland, the Planning Board tasked Hodsdon with writing an ordinance for Mexico.

Among the provisions are that sex offenders cannot reside within 750 feet of a public or private elementary, middle or high school, or a municipal property where children are the primary users.

Hodsdon said he was in favor of a curfew ordinance, but wanted to make sure it was fair to minors who were coming to and from work or local events.

He said the ordinances must be presented to selectmen.

“We just have to wait to hear back from them, and see if they approve of them, or if there are any changes that they recommend,” he said.

[email protected]