The overview
The city of Keller increased distance restrictions a registered child sex offender can live from child safety zones from 1,000 feet to 2,000 feet. The updated ordinance went into effect immediately after it was passed.
According to city documents, child safety zones are defined as places where children commonly gather, regardless if they’re inside or outside of city limits. Child safety zones include schools, public libraries, arcades, amusement centers, pools and trails.
The ordinance was amended after the city received numerous emails from residents requesting to strengthen it. Aside from increasing the distance restrictions, the ordinance will otherwise remain the same, a city spokesperson confirmed.
The background
Keller City Council first approved its ordinance to prohibit registered child sex offenders from living within certain distances from child safety zones in 2021, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
“We’ve got a lot of council members here that have kids or grandkids and so that’s why we felt that it was important and critical for us to bring [the ordinance] to the city back then,” Keller Mayor Armin Mizani said during the meeting. “This ordinance is extremely strong.”
According to city documents, registered sex offenders must notify the Keller Police Department of their temporary or permanent residence seven days prior to establishing residence in the city.
Violating the ordinance is considered a Class C misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of up to $500 for each offense. Offenders who established residency before the 2021 ordinance are not considered to be in violation.
Also of note
City officials tabled five proposed electric vehicle charging stations at Keller Town Center. A Mercedes-Benz representative said the stations would serve up to 10 electric vehicles at one time and could bring more foot traffic to businesses at the shopping center.
Some local business owners spoke against the charging stations, stating they could take up a significant amount of parking spaces on one side of the center. Keller City Council will revisit the proposal at its next meeting Aug. 5.
