TX: Rise in Sex Offenders in the Basin, Officials Explain Their Tactics

MIDLAND/ODESSA – A rise in sex offenders in the Basin, all because of the boom. But where are these criminals more likely to prey?The mall, playgrounds and parks are where many families and children come out to enjoy the summertime. Coincidentally, that’s where sex offenders tend to enjoy themselves as well. Because of the rise in sex offenders in the Basin, NewsWest 9 set out to investigate their criminal tactics and what children can do to protect themselves. Full Article

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Bell Gardens Repeals Section of Sex Offender Law

Faced with the threat of lawsuits, the Bell Gardens City Council Monday voted to repeal an ordinance restricting the movement of registered sex offenders in the southeast city. The council’s decision comes following recent court rulings striking down local sex offender laws that exceed state regulations. In 2009, Bell Gardens adopted an ordinance that bans registered sex offenders from being within 300 feet of parks and other locations where children gather. “We’re not doing it because we want to do it, we’re doing it because we’re forced to do it…

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People Confront Exclusion Zones

Steven Yoder has written a wonderful piece which describes how people in various communities are fighting back against the use of exclusion zones, especially as a condition of electronic monitoring. Exclusion zones most frequently are used against people with sex offense convictions.  The rules for exclusion zones typically ban certain groups of people from coming within a certain distance of places where children are likely to congregate-like schools, parks, and churches. Full Blog Post Article by Steven Yoder: Do Residency Bans Drive Sex Offenders Underground?

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