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Palmview adopts ordinance setting Halloween, residency rules for registered offenders
Summary
The Palmview City Council voted to adopt a local ordinance that imposes specific restrictions on registered offenders, including a Halloween curfew, a requirement to post a "no candy" sign, and other neighborhood limitations; the measure passed by voice vote.
The Palmview City Council voted to adopt a city ordinance that places new restrictions on registered offenders, including a Halloween curfew and signage requirements, the council decided during its May meeting.
The ordinance requires that on Halloween registered offenders remain at their residence of registry between 4 p.m. and 11:59 p.m., keep exterior lights off, post a 9½-by-11-inch sign with 2-inch letters saying “no candy” on the front door, and refrain from inviting or soliciting trick-or-treaters onto their property. The council approved the ordinance by voice vote; the mayor called for “Aye,” and the motion carried.
The ordinance is intended to formalize local rules the police department said it already enforces through outreach. “So now on Halloween ... they shall remain at the residence of registry between the hours of 4PM and 11:59PM,” said the Police Chief during the presentation. Chief staff said detectives visited registrants the prior week to notify them about Halloween expectations. The chief also noted the city follows state registration systems and reported the state now requires DNA swabs for registrants.
City staff said the ordinance includes affirmative defenses and penalties; failure to register remains separately punishable and can lead to warrants. The ordinance references public information available on the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) offender website and was reviewed by legal staff before the council vote.
Council members asked about how the city would notify residents and enforcement steps; staff said information would be posted on the city website and shared through outreach. Several council members expressed that the local ordinance formalizes practices the department already uses for public-safety reasons.
The action adopted was limited to the ordinance language on local restrictions and penalties; no new funding measures or enforcement staffing changes were adopted during the vote.
