Lauersdorf said he wants an even stricter rule in Fort Worth, one that would bar them from living within 2,000 feet of child safety zones \u2014 higher than the state recommended 1,000 feet.<\/p>\n
No Texas law mandates where sex offenders live. When sex offenders are put on parole and supervised release, where they can live is restricted on a case-by-case basis, Qualls said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
An ordinance from Fort Worth could not be applied retroactively, meaning sex offenders already living close to a child safety zone could not be forced to move.<\/p>\n
While a few other Texas cities have created 2,000-foot restrictions, the ordinance could open Fort Worth up to lawsuits from sex offenders, Qualls said. A city can restrict where offenders live, but it cannot legally outright \u201cbanish\u201d them, he said.<\/p>\n
The five present council members favored an ordinance, but some said they were wary that 2,000-foot restrictions could have unintended consequences.<\/p>\n
Council member Mia Hall said she was hesitant to place restrictions more than 1,000 feet because it could create \u201chot spots\u201d of sex offenders living in low-income communities that might not have many nearby parks or schools.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hall was joined by council member Elizabeth Beck, who said she was concerned about lawsuits against Fort Worth. A 1,000-foot ordinance already restricts most of the city, she said.<\/p>\n
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A map highlights where registered sex offenders would not be allowed to live under the proposed 1,000-foot restriction ordinance. (Courtesy image | City of Fort Worth)<\/p>\n
The two council members said they would consider 2,000-foot restrictions if further research showed it was practical, legal and wouldn\u2019t negatively affect certain communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to make sure we\u2019re not having unintended consequences in a hastily applied crackdown,\u201d Beck said.<\/p>\n
Lauersdorf said he wasn\u2019t concerned about registered sex offenders suing Fort Worth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s times when we could do better than other (cities), and we can be the city that others look to,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Registered sex offenders who violate the ordinance would face a class C misdemeanor. If found guilty, they would face state felony charges, Qualls said.<\/p>\n
He said the city could also impose \u201crental restrictions\u201d that prohibit landlords from renting to certain sex offenders at specific locations.<\/p>\n
What do restrictions look like in other cities?<\/p>\n
Dallas:<\/strong> Does not allow offenders whose victims were under 17 to \u201cremain at or near\u201d child safety zones.<\/p>\n San Antonio:<\/strong> Does not allow any offender to live within 1,000 feet of a park, or loiter within 300 feet of a park.<\/p>\n Arlington:<\/strong> Does not allow \u201chabitual offenders\u201d to live within 1,000 feet of specified zones.<\/p>\n Everman:<\/strong> Does not allow offenders whose victims were under 17 to live or rent within 1,000 feet of specified zones.<\/p>\n Keller:<\/strong> Does not allow offenders whose victim was under 17 to live or rent within 2,000 feet of specified zones.<\/p>\n Mansfield:<\/strong> Does not allow any offender to live or rent within 1,000 feet of specified zones, and this year added restrictions to multiple offenders living at the same dwelling.\u00a0<\/p>\n A \u2018one size fits all approach\u2019 draws hesitancy<\/p>\n Council member Carlos Flores said that, as a parent, he wants the maximum distance possible. However, he is concerned by a one-size-fits-all approach that could make it difficult for some offenders to access their jobs and could stretch law enforcement resources.<\/p>\n Many cities have exceptions to their ordinances, such as for those who committed crimes as a minor and have since moved on, Qualls said.<\/p>\n Council member Michael Crain noted that state legislators frequently push for statewide limits on where offenders can live. Advocacy groups have researched how to approach such restrictions and possible exemptions, he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe should get some input there just to make sure it doesn\u2019t overly burden some people that are probably good in the community, that have been adjudicated,\u201d Crain said.\u00a0<\/p>\n He stressed that the council wants to protect children from the most extreme offenders, but a blanket restriction requires looking at the issue from every perspective.<\/p>\n Qualls said city staff would research what wider restrictions could look like and present further findings before proposing an official ordinance.<\/p>\n Drew Shaw is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at drew.shaw@fortworthreport.org<\/a> or @shawlings601<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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