Sex offenders now banned from city parks, part of River Walk

SAN ANTONIO — The City Council on Thursday approved an ordinance and an amendment to restrict registered sex offenders from city parks and part of the River Walk.

There was little discussion before the vote. Registered sex offenders on parole must stay 1,000 feet away from city parks, including their choice of residency. For those on the registry who have finished their sentences the buffer zone is dropped down to 500 feet.

Experts and advocacy groups contend restrictions do not keep communities safer. Mary Sue Molnar of the Texas Voices for Reason and Justice said she received statistics that showed only 1 percent of the arrests in parks over the course of two years involved registered sex offenders.

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