Protect kids on Halloween
Monday, October 31, 2005
The New Jersey Parole Board has acted in the best interests of thousands of parents and children by issuing a Halloween curfew for 2,200 released sex offenders living in communities around the state.
Unfortunately, the board's curfew applies only to those convicted sex offenders -- many of whom molested or assaulted children -- who committed their acts after Megan's Law was enacted in 1994. About 6,000 more sex offenders registered with the state are not subject to supervision and won't be bound by the curfew.
Just because these offenders won't be bound to be inside by 7 p.m. Monday and barred from answering the door for trick-or-treaters, as those monitored by the parole board are subject to, doesn't mean parents can't protect their children from them.
Parents should, through the Megan's Law sex offender registry, learn where sex offenders live in their community and make sure their children don't trick-or-treat there. The Web site was established for just this reason -- to let parents know where dangerous sexual predators might be lurking.
All you have to do is type in your zip code or municipality and you'll get profiles of any sex offenders in your community, including a picture, current address and a brief description of their crimes.
We urge all parents who plan to let their kids seek candy Monday to first take a moment to check the sex offender registry and make sure your kids aren't going to knock on the door of someone potentially dangerous.
The New Jersey Parole Board has acted in the best interests of thousands of parents and children by issuing a Halloween curfew for 2,200 released sex offenders living in communities around the state.
Unfortunately, the board's curfew applies only to those convicted sex offenders -- many of whom molested or assaulted children -- who committed their acts after Megan's Law was enacted in 1994. About 6,000 more sex offenders registered with the state are not subject to supervision and won't be bound by the curfew.
Just because these offenders won't be bound to be inside by 7 p.m. Monday and barred from answering the door for trick-or-treaters, as those monitored by the parole board are subject to, doesn't mean parents can't protect their children from them.
Parents should, through the Megan's Law sex offender registry, learn where sex offenders live in their community and make sure their children don't trick-or-treat there. The Web site was established for just this reason -- to let parents know where dangerous sexual predators might be lurking.
All you have to do is type in your zip code or municipality and you'll get profiles of any sex offenders in your community, including a picture, current address and a brief description of their crimes.
We urge all parents who plan to let their kids seek candy Monday to first take a moment to check the sex offender registry and make sure your kids aren't going to knock on the door of someone potentially dangerous.
posted by Richy at 11:58 AM
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