The City of Sydney City Council on Sept. 9 voted to appoint private attorney Travis Robach as a special prosecutor to handle prosecutions involving violations of the city’s registry ordinance after local police described an increase in related cases and anticipated contested trials.

Council discussion, led by city staff and the police department, said officers had recently made several arrests for alleged violations of the registry protocol. Police told the council that defense attorneys had requested court-appointed counsel and jury trials in at least one recent case, prompting officials to seek trial-experienced prosecution assistance.

The council moved and seconded a motion to appoint Robach, who was described in the meeting as having previously served as the county attorney in Bridgeport and who has worked with the county attorney’s office on jury trials. The motion passed on a council roll call with affirmative votes from Redcliffe, Lee, Crookman and other members present.

Police and city officials stressed the need to set up prosecutions carefully. A police official said, “If we don’t do this appropriately right the first time, everything that we have done and everything moving forward is gonna be more of an uphill challenge,” and recommended securing counsel experienced in trial litigation.

City staff clarified that the underlying violation is of a city ordinance governing registry requirements and residency restrictions; the ordinance includes a prohibition on residing within 500 feet of a school or an operating daycare, officials said. Officials also noted that aspects of enforcement involve county processes and court procedures, and that the city sought outside counsel to ensure prosecutions are litigated effectively.

The appointment directs the city attorney’s office and police department to coordinate with the special prosecutor on the pending cases. The council recorded the appointment by vote; no additional budget appropriation for the special prosecutor was discussed at the meeting.