The Austin City Council on Thursday will consider a resolution that would kickstart the process of increasing buffer zones between registered sex offenders and children.
“Did you know that, right now in Austin, registered sex offenders are allowed to be within 500 feet of our schools, parks, and playgrounds?” asked District 6 Councilwoman Mackenzie Kelly in a recent video on social media. “This is unacceptable. As a parent, and as a member of the community, I knew that we had to act. And that’s why I’ve authored a policy that will change this, establishing child safety zones that will prevent sex offenders from being near places where our kids gather. Schools, parks, playgrounds: these should be safe spaces for our children, and right now, the current law just isn’t enough.”
The resolution, which is Item 46 on Thursday’s agenda, is being co-sponsored by three other members of the city council, including Alison Alter, Ryan Alter, and Natasha Harper-Madison.
If approved, Austin City Manager TC Broadnax would coordinate with the Austin Police Department, as well as local school districts, and report back to the council with a formal resolution by March of next year.
Similarly, the Austin Police Department reported on Tuesday that its Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration (SOAR) Unit has made big strides in monitoring of registered sex offenders
Since January 1, 2024, the SOAR Unit has conducted residence verifications and follow-up investigations to confirm that sex offenders are meeting their registration obligations, APD said.
“In our ongoing mission to enhance community safety, we emphasize accountability among registered sex offenders,” said Sergeant Meson Woo, APD SOAR Unit “The success of our efforts is a direct result of the dedication and teamwork of our SOAR personnel. They work tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to ensure that registered offenders are held accountable and compliant with their legal obligations. Their commitment, along with the invaluable support from the community, plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety and protecting Austin’s community members.”
Key Achievements of the SOAR Unit:
- Residence Verifications: Conducted checks on the residences of over 950 registered sex offenders since January 1, 2024.
- Non-Compliance Identified: Detected 206 potential cases of non-compliance.
- Warrants Issued: Issued 54 warrants for offenders who failed to comply with registration requirements.
- Arrests Made: Successfully executed 20 arrest warrants resulting from compliance checks.
