By Megan Wehring
KYLE -- City council and officials are reviewing a potential ordinance that could restrict where convicted registered sex offenders may live in the city of Kyle.
Kyle Chief of Police Jeff Barnett and Officer Dago Pates introduced the regulation on Feb. 2 before city council. The proposed ordinance established child safety zones that would make it unlawful for certain sex offenders to reside within 1,500 feet of where children commonly gather.
But, Kyle City Council requested that Barnett would consider reducing the restriction to 1,000 feet. This would cover at least 60% of the city.
At the April 20 meeting, council voted 6-1 in favor of setting the distance requirement to 1,000 feet. Mayor Travis Mitchell was the dissenting vote; he suggested 500 feet for a middle ground number that would cover about half of the city.
Following the first presentation on Feb. 2, Pates said that he has received an influx of calls from registered sex offenders interested in moving to Kyle since the city has not established an ordinance yet.
A second reading is still needed for final approval.
