Trick-Or-Treat Safety: Most Sex Offenders Can Give Out Candy; How To Avoid Them

October 31, 2019

THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY.

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

According to the FDLE database, there are 23 sex offenders and predators in the Century zip code, 16 in the McDavid area, 15 near Molino and 72 in the Cantonment area. The numbers per zip code generally only increase further south in more populated areas in Escambia County. For instance, there are 162 registered offenders in the 32505 zip code.

Most Florida sex offenders 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.

The Florida Department of Corrections will work in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies to keep the streets safe by ensuring sex offenders under felony supervision do not take part in any Halloween activities involving minors, the DOC said Wednesday afternoon. FDC probation officers make personal contact with sex offenders under FDC supervision and conduct surveillance initiatives such as residential searches, unannounced visits, covert monitoring of physical activity and location tracking. Special emphasis is also placed on areas such as motels and temporary housing areas where sex offenders live.

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.

Sex offenders that are sill under supervised probation are not allowed to give out candy or treats, are required to turn off their porch lights and close blinds, have no outside decorations, are not allowed to dress in a costume or mask, and are not allowed to answer their doors for trick-or-treaters.

“Offenders who do not remain in compliance with the terms of their supervision will be subject to immediate arrest,” according to the DOC.

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 phone.

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

4 Responses to “Trick-Or-Treat Safety: Most Sex Offenders Can Give Out Candy; How To Avoid Them”

  1. lone chief on October 31st, 2019 8:45 pm

    I’d rather be info/d about murderers, thieves, felonist with guns, gangbangers, dope dealers, etc…the number of folks with serious mental disorders also. yeah that won’t happen, huh? Not that I condone molestations, it just seems rather low on the “serious factor” of the multitude of criminals in our county. i don’t think pedophiles are into poisoning…so I’ve read. Your lop-sided logic eludes me.

  2. Gary on October 31st, 2019 12:48 pm

    Escambia county Sheriff department should put signs in their yards to warn people where they live.

  3. Imagine that on October 31st, 2019 10:10 am

    Imagine that….the FDLE Website is down for maintenance.

  4. Niknak50 on October 31st, 2019 8:36 am

    It’s sad we’d have to check our neighborhood for sex offenders. Sex offenders should be registered in the local cemetery.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive