(SATSUMA, Ala.) November 4 - A neighborhood unites to find out why convicted sex offender Michael Brooks was able to move onto their street without anyone knowing. Four years ago he was convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl. He served his time, then registered as a sex offender.
Neighbors say he moved into a Satsuma neighborhood near schools and daycares. Twenty-two kids live and play on Dale Street and now Brenda Stolee is armed with more than 60 signatures on a petition. She presented the petition to the Satsuma City Council asking why her neighborhood had not bee notified.
Police Chief David Benefield says someone dropped the ball between the time the offender left state prison in July and moved to Satsuma. Brooks had previously registered with the Mobile County Sheriff's Office. Part of Dale Drive is in the county and part of it is in the city limits. The police chief says the county line may be at issue. It's possible he says the state parole officers and the offender legally did not have to notifiy or register with the city.
Chief Benefield says he will look into the issue further. Benefield says his department typically issues notices door to door when a sex offender moves to any part of the city.
