OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Some Oshkosh residents have been concerned about a transitional living facility in their area for nearly 10 years. During a community workshop hosted by the City, both neighbors and the management group were given the time to speak their minds.
1105 Jefferson St. is the location of a transitional living placement facility or TLP. It has been there for nearly 10 years.
Triniteam Incorporated manages the facility, the group is based in Eau Claire.
Executive director, Rob Peitzman said, “those referred to a TLP are not those who are considered to be predatorial where they need 24-hour supervision or care. If they did they would not be recommended to live there.”
Triniteam has a contract with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, which neighbors say is not being followed.
During public comment, one neighbor said, “I can tell you I’m 70 feet away and they’re not being adhered too.”
Many of the occupants are registered sex offenders. Neighbors believe the location is not a good place for those offenders to be living.
Neighbor Betsy Kunde said, “it’s right on the pathway to school so kids are walking, it’s not the right place for this type of facility.”
They also believe Triniteam does a poor job responding to complaints or violations.
“Everything in their contract they just pick and choose constantly when they want, when it works for them,” said one neighbor.
Peitzman said, “We typically don’t run over immediately because we don’t have the capacity and that’s not part of our contract.”
Now the City of Oshkosh says they’re limited in what they can do other than provide law enforcement and zoning and planning.
Mark Rohloff, Oshkosh City Manager said, “if somebody is breaking house rules operated by the occupants of the facility, those are house rules we don’t have jurisdiction.”
However, the hope for a community workshop was to let all sides be heard.
“The neighbors can express their concerns and the Department of Corrections and contractor they have that operate the facility can let them know what they do and what they don’t do,” said Rohloff.
The facility’s contract can last up until 2022, or 2024 based on renewal.
The Neighborhood Association wants the Oshkosh City Council to draft an ordinance to place these facilities in locations better suited for those residing in them.
