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Lufkin council approves first reading of ordinance creating 1,000-foot child-safety zones for certain sex offenders
Summary
On first reading the Lufkin City Council approved an ordinance to prohibit certain registered sex offenders convicted of crimes involving minors from residing within 1,000 feet of places where children commonly gather; councilors said the map will be a living document and agreed to add language addressing private HOA pools before second reading.
The Lufkin City Council on first reading approved an ordinance that would bar certain registered sex offenders whose convictions involved victims under 17 from establishing residence within 1,000 feet of places where children commonly gather.
Kevin, speaking for city staff, said the city currently has 103 registered sex offenders, 71 of whom were convicted of offenses involving children under 17, and recommended the ordinance to create child-safety zones around churches, libraries, museums, youth centers, licensed day-care facilities and public parks. "Staff believe the protection of children is a compelling public safety interest," Kevin said.
Council members and members of the public debated how the map of covered locations will be maintained and whether specific sites should be added. Miss Keller (staff) told the council the map will be assessed at least annually and can be amended. Several speakers urged adding nonprofit programs and certain youth facilities; Shelley Barnes, youth assistant director for ADAK, asked that the city's youth recovery center be included.
Martin Baker, who said he runs God Ministries, warned the restriction could hamper the ministry’s ability to house and assist people the organization serves and asked whether a site-specific exemption could be added. Baker told the council the program sometimes receives clients from police or probation officers and that lengths of stay at the facility vary "from a few days to a year or more." Council members noted that exemptions complicate enforcement and discussed handling any requested exceptions on a case-by-case basis before second reading.
Joyce Johnson, president of the Crown Colony homeowners association, asked that the HOA’s pool be included in the map because children 12 and older are allowed at that facility without adult supervision. Council members agreed they would add language to the ordinance before the second reading to address private HOA pools and other similar sites.
The ordinance includes a grandfather clause exempting individuals who established residency prior to adoption. Staff and council also clarified the restriction applies only to offenders whose cases involved child victims as defined in the statute cited in the staff presentation.
A motion to approve the ordinance on first reading with the added pool-language provision received a second and the mayor announced the motion carried. The transcript records a voice vote but does not list individual tallies. The ordinance will return for a second reading, at which time the council expects to consider the clarified pool language and any site-specific requests for exemptions.
