The town of Dodge City became the latest local government entity to ban sex offenders from municipal parks last week, following similar efforts by both the Cullman County Commission and the City of Hanceville earlier this year.
The new ordinance makes it a class C misdemeanor for a registered sex offender to be on town park property — a crime punishable by a fine of up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail.
Dodge City officials mirrored an ordinance passed by Hanceville in late June, Dodge City Mayor Tawana Canada said.
“We’re thankful to Hanceville for coming up with the idea and we talked to them about how they implemented it,” she said.
The Cullman County Commission has also petitioned local legislators to make it a felony for registered sex offenders to visit any of the five public county parks. By statute, the county commission cannot pass laws designating criminal offenses and must have a member of the local legislative delegation introduce a bill to incorporate the new law into the Code of Alabama.
In Dodge City, the new regulations are in effect at the town’s only park: Ray Park, located directly behind the town hall.
Over the past year, the town invested approximately $35,000 to make upgrades and improvements to the park, which had fallen into disrepair over the past decade. The council also recently established a new closing time of 8 p.m. for the park, due to vandalism.
Canada said reports of a registered sex offender frequenting Ray Park led local leaders to pass the ordinance.
“We did have one person who was visiting the park on a regular basis, who is a registered sex offender, so we thought it was a good idea,” she said. “We already have signs up at the park and it is now officially in effect.”
At a meeting on August 12, the council also:
- Approved the pay of annual Alabama League of Municipalities dues for $432.
- Approved the purchase of a set of tires for the town maintenance truck.
* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
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