White Settlement's City Council has signed off on a major expansion of where certain registered sex offenders can live and how they can participate in Halloween, stretching existing child-safety zones and tacking on new rules for trick-or-treat night.
The ordinance, approved at the council's meeting yesterday, doubles the city’s residency buffer around schools, day-care centers and other kid-focused spots, and orders warning signage on affected properties.
What the ordinance does
Ordinance No. 2026-04-11-023 increases the city's child-safety buffers from 1,000 to 2,000 feet and defines those zones to include schools, day-care facilities, playgrounds, public or private youth centers and public swimming pools. City leaders say the updated language is intended to "reduce contact between registered sex offenders and children" and to help protect the health, safety, and welfare of citizens, according to Chief of Police Christopher Cook. The change was approved by the council at its meeting.
City of White Settlement Strengthens Sex Offender Residency Requirements by Passing Revised Ordinance.
— Christopher Cook (@cooktx) April 8, 2026
On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the White Settlement City Council passed Ordinance #2026-04-11-023 which regulates where certain sex offenders may reside in order to reduce contact… pic.twitter.com/6nQxNGjiQl
City leaders defend the change
"Protecting the safety of our community is always paramount for our city," City Manager Jeffrey J. James said. Mayor Faron Young added that protecting our most vulnerable victims is what our council affirmed by passing these revisions to the ordinance, according to Chief of Police Christopher Cook. Their comments came alongside the council discussion and the vote to adopt the revised residency rules.
Halloween rules and signage
The ordinance also adds a Halloween provision that prohibits certain registered sex offenders from illuminating an outdoor light, inviting trick-or-treaters or handing out candy on Halloween. It further requires those affected to post not passing out candy signage on their property. The provision is written to apply to specific registrants identified by the ordinance's criteria.
What residents should know
The council approved the ordinance yesterday, and the city's announcement about the revisions did not include an implementation timetable. Residents who want details on how the new rules will be enforced, or whether specific properties fall inside the expanded buffer zones, are advised to contact White Settlement city officials for guidance.
