Fort Worth officials are considering new residency limits that would bar certain registered sex offenders from living near schools, parks, and other child-safety zones.<\/p>\n
The proposal would bar offenders whose victims were under 17 from residing within 1,000 feet of designated areas such as playgrounds, public pools, and youth centers, according to city attorney Trey Qualls. Council member Charles Lauersdorf said he favors a stricter version.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo those currently sitting in prison who may be getting out soon who are considering where they\u2019re gonna move, I want Fort Worth to be the first city they cross off,\u201d Lauersdorf said during an October 14 Public Safety Committee meeting, according<\/a> to the Fort Worth Report.<\/p>\n City data show roughly 3,200 registered sex offenders live in Fort Worth. Of those, 2,454 had victims under 17, and 1,577 currently have no residency restrictions.<\/p>\n Lauersdorf said he wants the buffer extended to 2,000 feet, double the distance recommended by the state. \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 Qualls told the committee that while state law allows local restrictions, the ordinance cannot \u201cbanish\u201d offenders or force current residents to move. \u201cAn ordinance from Fort Worth could not be applied retroactively,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Council member Mia Hall expressed caution about expanding the distance. \u201cIt could create \u2018hot spots\u2019 of sex offenders living in low-income communities that might not have many nearby parks or schools,\u201d Hall said.<\/p>\n Council member Elizabeth Beck agreed, warning about potential legal challenges. \u201cWe need to make sure we\u2019re not having unintended consequences in a hastily applied crackdown,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Council member Carlos Flores said he wants the maximum protection for children but acknowledged that \u201ca one-size-fits-all approach\u201d could create problems for reintegrated offenders and law enforcement.<\/p>\n