Posted: Nov. 18, 2009

Franklin — A new city ordinance increases guest registration requirements at local hotels and motels, two months after an accused serial killer was arrested at a Franklin motel.

The biggest change under the ordinance, which the Common Council passed unanimously Tuesday, is that people using only cash to pay for rooms will have to provide photo identification, of which personnel at hotels and motels must keep a photocopy.

The ordinance was proposed following Walter E. Ellis' September arrest at the Park Motel, 7273 S. 27th St. Ellis has been charged with killing seven women in Milwaukee over the last 21 years.

Police Chief Rick Oliva said people lying about their names or not properly registering in motels and hotels has obstructed past investigations.

The ordinance is patterned after similar measures in Brookfield and Glendale, City Attorney Jesse Wesolowski said. Alderman Kristen Wilhem, who proposed the ordinance, said many of those establishments already have those procedures.