DEPARTMENT: Police Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Briefing on Park Safety Zone Ordinance
SUMMARY:
Overview of the existing Park Safety Zone city ordinance enacted by City Council in December 2013 and discussion on potential amendments to the ordinance as it relates to restrictions for registered sex offenders. Discussion will be centered around potential amendments to the ordinance to include zones close to schools.
BACKGROUND:
To provide background to the Public Safety Committee on the existing Park Safety Zone Ordinance, below is a summary highlighting the current ordinance and the Police Department enforcement and outreach efforts.
Park Safety Zone Ordinance
The Park Safety Zone ordinance, enacted in December 2013 (2013-12-05-0855) provides:
* It is a Class C misdemeanor for a person required to register as a sex offender to have a temporary residence (reside 14 or more total days in a calendar year) or a permanent residence (reside 14 or more consecutive days) within 1,000 feet of a park, or to enter or come within 300 feet of a city park.
* The residence and park proximity restriction does not include most of the Riverwalk on the street level.
* There are exceptions for attending official meetings and voting.
* Affirmative defenses include that the person lived at the location prior to enactment of the ordinance.
* The police chief can grant an exemption.
The city can adopt the additional restrictions for those on probation and parole, with the caveat that the city may not limit places where sex offenders may live as to effectively prohibit sex offenders from living within the city limits.
SAPD Enforcement
The Sex Offender Registration Detail (SORD) is responsible for monitoring the approximately 2,900 registered sex offenders that reside within San Antonio. In addition to conducting monthly, quarterly and annual compliance checks as determined by the State, the De...
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