Trick-Or-Treat Safety: Most Sex Offenders Can Give Out Candy

October 31, 2011

There are lots of ways to make trick-or-treating safer for children, including a quick check for sex offenders in the neighborhood.

Most Florida sex offenders and predators are legally allowed to hand out candy to children in their neighborhoods as long as they are no longer on supervised probation, according to law enforcement officials.

Authorities say that parents can turn to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s sexual offender database to find the address of registered sex offenders that may be in an area where their children will trick-or-treat. In addition to addresses, the FDLE database also offers photos and descriptions of offenders along with information about their crimes.

According to the FDLE database, there are 23 sex offenders and predators in the Century area, six in the Walnut Hill/McDavid area, 17 near Molino and 49 in the Cantonment area.  Of those 95 offenders and predators, only 19 remain on probation. That leaves 76 that might legally be allowed to answer their doors and hand candy out to children.

To search the FDLE sex offender database, click here. To check the Alabama sex offender database, click here.

In addition to checking the FDLE database, officials said parents should make sure trick-or-treaters are accompanied by an adult, have a flashlight and cellphone.

There are also several community fall festivals and events planned across the area tonight, offering a “safe” alternative to the traditional door to door trick-or-treating. For a list of many of those events, click here.

Comments

3 Responses to “Trick-Or-Treat Safety: Most Sex Offenders Can Give Out Candy”

  1. LuLu on October 31st, 2011 1:48 pm

    The safest thing to do is go to one of the many “trunk or treat” events in the area.

  2. Mom of 3 on October 31st, 2011 12:13 pm

    It’s best to only go to close friends & family now days!

  3. mom on October 31st, 2011 8:47 am

    Alabama page won’t load…..thanks for this info…I HOPE AND PRAY THEY HAVE LOTS OF CANDY LEFT OVER! Parents, please look at this information BEFORE your kids go trick or treating…and don’t let them go alone!