There are approximately 50,000 registered sex offenders in Texas to date, making that about 2300 out of every million people in the state.
Every year, the number of sex offenders across Texas grows, causing some concern for parents and citizens throughout. Currently, 17 reside in Commerce, with only two of them attending classes at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Of those 17 offenders, seven were charged with indecency with a child, three with aggravated sexual assault of a child, two with sexual assault, three with sexual assault of a child and two with possible promotion of child pornography.
Of the two that attend the University, neither live on campus and are both required to report to a supervising officer at the Commerce Police Department. That officer then requires each offender to report Crime Information officer, Jason Bone, at the University Police Department (UPD).
“I usually require them to come in every semester and to furnish me a class schedule. I also make sure that their appearance is the same. I then notify our officers so that they are aware,” Bone said.
Depending on the risk level of offenders attending classes at the University, department heads of those departments he or she is taking their courses in are notified. All of the notifications and precautions taken vary on a case-by-case basis.
There are currently no rules or restrictions set in place for offenders at the University, but any convicted of victimizing children would be asked to stay out of areas where children may be, such as the family housing on campus and provided playgrounds.
“On the one hand, I see the need for the public to be aware. On the other hand, I also don’t like to see that someone may be trying to straighten their life out set up to fail,” Bone said. “I have always tried to balance these two. My fear is that a professor of fellow students will refuse to allow them to get their education.”
Refusal of education to any offenders attending the University has not yet been a problem, but the UPD strives to balance the need for public safety with that of allowing the sex offender to actually work towards positive change.
Safety tips include that parents always know where their children are, students walking alone at nighttime stay in well-lit areas and for any suspicious behavior to be reported immediately to Commerce Police Department by dialing 911 or the UPD at 903-886-5868.