Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Sex Offenders and Halloween


Last Update: 10/26/2005 4:22:54 PM
Posted By: Catherine Varnum

There could be something worse that a ghoul or ghost answering the door when your child goes trick or treating. It could be a convicted sex offender.
That's why New Jersey passed a law saying sex offenders on probation have to be in their home and can't answer their door on Halloween night. There's no such law in New York or Pennsylvania saying a sex offender can't open his door to trick or treaters on Halloween night. Fancy decorations and bright lights is one way police say sexual predators may be getting your child to come to their door.
Mindy Burdick wasn't surprised when 18 News asked her if she was concerned about daughter Lexi knocking on the door of sex offenders this Halloween. "It scares me because you don't know who is and who isn't,” said Mindy Burdick of Elmira. Once their released from prison, sex offenders are required to register with their local police department. That information is then passed on to on New York state's sex offender registry website. Sometimes, they get lost in the system. Sex offenders move and don't tell police, or the web information isn't updated fast enough. That's what scares parents. "Would you feel more comfortable if they were elsewhere on Halloween? Yeah because they don't have to be home either, they could be out walking the street,” said Burdick. "They have broken the law, if we can keep track of them, we can find out what they're doing and keep them away from our kids,” said Ann Reidinger of Mosherville.
Elmira police say Halloween is an easy holiday for sex offenders to disguise themselves, giving parents something new to worry about. "I never had to think about it then, but certainly something to be aware of nowadays,” said Rosalie Krajei of West Elmira.
Police don't want you to be scared to allow your children to trick or treat on Halloween. They just want you to tell them to be careful and prepare ahead of time. "The kids shouldn't be out trick or treating without a parent or guardian if they go with parents, there's nothing to worry about,” said Elmira Police Chief Scott Drake.
Here are some useful websites to locate sex offenders:
www.MapSexOffenders.com
http://www.nsopr.gov/
Related Links
NYS Sex Offender Registry

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