Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Mike Penshorn, Captain and Greg Walker, Sergeant, Police Department
Contact Info
mpenshorn@nbtexas.org and gwalker@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
First reading of an ordinance regarding the creation of Child Safety Zones which would provide residency restrictions for Registered Sex Offenders residing within the city limits of New Braunfels.
Body
BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
Currently, the City of New Braunfels has no residency restrictions for Registered Sex Offenders who live within the city limits of New Braunfels. There is only an ordinance that restricts registered sex offenders from receiving a permit to operate a food truck. The New Braunfels Police Department is regularly contacted by sex offenders who are looking to move to New Braunfels due specifically to this lack of residency restrictions. The Police Department is also frequently contacted by citizens inquiring as to what restrictions are in place to prevent sex offenders from living near or visiting schools, playgrounds, or other places children gather. As for the State of Texas, the state laws provide limited restrictions on sex offenders who are currently on probation or parole. Registered sex offenders are also restricted from being able to operate a bus, taxi, amusement park ride or non-supervised in-home services, and this is only if the victim is a child under 14 year of age. The only state law restriction regarding residency is the offender cannot live on a school campus.
Due to the very nature of the offenses committed by registered sex offenders, it is in the City of New Braunfels’ best interest to enact a Child Safety Zone ordinance that will restrict where such individuals may reside. Generally, the proposed ordinance will prohibit a registered sex offender from going in, on, or within 1,000 feet of a Child Safety Zone in the city limits. The term Child Safety Zone is defined as a premises where children commonly gather. The term includes a public or private school, public or private day-care facility, playground, public or private youth center, public swimming pool, video arcade facility, city or state park, or any other facility that regularly holds events primarily for children.
The State of Texas gives each municipality the authority to create their own restrictions on sex offenders. The creation of this ordinance would help to provide greatly needed protections to our most vulnerable population: our children.
ADDRESSES A NEED/ISSUE IN A CITY PLAN OR COUNCIL PRIORITY:
|
X |
YES |
Strategic Priority |
Continue to ensure the protection of citizens’ lives and property |
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
Non-Applicable
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the creation of Child Safety Zones which would provide additional residency restrictions for Registered Sex Offenders residing within the city limits of New Braunfels.