Thursday, October 29, 2009

Halloween & Sex Offenders don't mix

Florida Department of Corrections probation officers will be out in force on Halloween, making sure sex offenders are not participating in Halloween activities involving children. Through surprise home visits and increased surveillance, probation officers are working closely with local law enforcement agencies statewide to keep Halloween safe for children. Probation Officers will instruct sex offenders currently on supervision who are restricted from having unsupervised contact with minors to comply with the following restrictions on Halloween:

* Do not give out candy or other treats.
* Turn off porch lights, close blinds.
* No outside decorations to attract children.
* Do not answer the door to trick or treaters.
* Do not dress in costume or masks.
* Do not attend Halloween parties where children will be present.

Parents are encouraged to accompany children when trick-or-treating, to carry a cell phone and to instruct them to avoid darkened houses and hotels/motels. Parents are encouraged to visit FDLE’s website at: http://www.flsexoffender.net/ to search for sexual offenders and predators in your area and sign up for alerts that notify you when a new registered predator or offender moves into your neighborhood.

Remember, the sex offenders listed on this website may not be the only sex offenders in an area. There are currently more than 9,000 sex offenders on state supervision in Florida. By working together, parents, law enforcement, and the Florida Department of Corrections can help you and your children have a safe Halloween.

3 comments:

  1. I notice I have a few "registered predators" in my area but looking at the website they are not on probation. I am curious if anyone can tell me if this will apply to those who are designated "sexual predators" required to register but who are no longer on probation? Also once they are no longer on probation how much follow up is done on those "registered predators" in practicality?

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  2. Registered Sex Offenders currently under the supervision of the Department of Correctioins have the multiple restrictions applied to them: footage away from schools, parks, churches, anywhere where children assemble. If their probation is over then they still have to register (most twice a years, some 4 times a year). Unless they live in a city that has a municipal ordinance restricting where they can reside, then they can live wherever as long as they are currently registered with FDLE.
    They are monitored closely by each county's Sheriff's Office and local police departments.

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