Sex offenders get curfew; DOC puts limits on child molesters' Halloween activities
By Gwen Guerke, Delaware State News
DOWNSTATE - Times have changed, and many of the imaginary horrors associated with Halloween have become a reality.
By law, Delaware's registered sex offenders are not prohibited from participating in Halloween activities, but those still on probation have been issued a curfew and other restrictions by the state Department of Correction.
Eight hundred of the state's 3,085 registered sex offenders must abide by a 121/2 hour curfew, from 5:30 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday, unless they have a probation officer's permission to go to a scheduled workplace, said Department of Correction spokeswoman Beth Welch.
"We have placed special conditions on sex offenders who are on probation," Ms. Welch said.
They must turn off outdoor lights, a signal that trick-or-treaters may knock on the door.
Probation officers will be out on Halloween checking to be certain that offenders under the DOC policy are abiding by the rules.
While New Jersey established a curfew and other limitations for sex offenders governed by Megan's Law, Delaware's code lists no such requirements.
Megan's Law, a federal statute, requires official registration to ensure that the community is notified of the presence of convicted sex offenders who may a risk to public safety, but the requirements are implemented differently from state to state.
New Jersey requires registered sex offenders to be at home by 7 p.m.
On Halloween, the neighboring state forbids sex offenders from answering the door, attending parties where children are present and taking children trick or treating, even their own children.
While Delaware sex offenders on probation also are not permitted to attend Halloween parties or take children out, others are not affected by the policy.
"Nothing in our law prevents sex offenders from putting on costumes or masks," said Delaware State Police Sgt. Chuck Mullett.
"We have no jurisdiction over sex offenders not on probation," Ms. Welch added.
Parents can be cautious and warn their children about dangerous strangers, but most predators are acquainted with their victims.
"There are very few stranger abductions or rapes," said Sgt. Mullet.
Dr. Kate McGraw, clinical program manger for Bayhealth's St. Jones Center for Behavioral Health, says sexual predators defy a single description.
"It could be anybody, well respected or with a record. There are lots of ways a child predator can hide," she said.
She advises parents to be aware of whom their children spend time with.
"It is usually an adult who is overly interested in the child, then acts less mature or becomes upset if denied access to the child," she said.
Child molesters who are not family members tend to exhibit certain patterns of behavior.
"It's a secretive kind of behavior that tries to separate the child from a support system, and it's not usually carried out with threats of violence," she added.
One Web site dedicated to providing resources about sexual predators for parents, schools and community, www.childlures.com, says most predators are males who make efforts to gain access to children at child-related activities.
Delaware law requires sex offenders convicted after June 27, 1994, to register, and those offenders listed on the Delaware State Police Web site, www.state.de.dsp, but other than registration requirements, the offenders are not restricted from taking part in Halloween.
Offenders can be located either by name or by town and ZIP code.
Another Web site, www.mapsexoffenders.com, offers easy access to information about sex offenders in a particular area by simply typing in a street address, state and ZIP code.
When the map appears on the screen, a blue dot indicates the address entered in the search. Red dots indicate locations where sex offenders reside.
A click on the dot opens a link to show the offender's name and photo.
Parents might want to be aware of dangers children may face when sending them out onto the streets in costumes.
Police advise that parents or a responsible teenager accompany young children on trick or treat rounds, and carry a flashlight and cell phone.
Most Downstate communities allow children under 12 to trick or treat from 6-8 p.m. Monday, but parents may opt for alternative Halloween festivities such as the Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth Beach or a celebration from 3-5 p.m. today at Dover Mall.
Delaware's governors have traditionally opened Woodburn, the governor's mansion, for a Halloween haunting.
This year is no exception.
Woodburn will be open to costumed visitors form 6-8 p.m. Monday.
Post comments on this issue at newszapforums.com/forum60
Gwen Guerke can be reached at tell2gwen@aol.com.
On the Web
Two Web sites offer information about sex offenders near you:
www.state.de.dsp
www.mapsexoffenders.com
DOWNSTATE - Times have changed, and many of the imaginary horrors associated with Halloween have become a reality.
By law, Delaware's registered sex offenders are not prohibited from participating in Halloween activities, but those still on probation have been issued a curfew and other restrictions by the state Department of Correction.
Eight hundred of the state's 3,085 registered sex offenders must abide by a 121/2 hour curfew, from 5:30 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday, unless they have a probation officer's permission to go to a scheduled workplace, said Department of Correction spokeswoman Beth Welch.
"We have placed special conditions on sex offenders who are on probation," Ms. Welch said.
They must turn off outdoor lights, a signal that trick-or-treaters may knock on the door.
Probation officers will be out on Halloween checking to be certain that offenders under the DOC policy are abiding by the rules.
While New Jersey established a curfew and other limitations for sex offenders governed by Megan's Law, Delaware's code lists no such requirements.
Megan's Law, a federal statute, requires official registration to ensure that the community is notified of the presence of convicted sex offenders who may a risk to public safety, but the requirements are implemented differently from state to state.
New Jersey requires registered sex offenders to be at home by 7 p.m.
On Halloween, the neighboring state forbids sex offenders from answering the door, attending parties where children are present and taking children trick or treating, even their own children.
While Delaware sex offenders on probation also are not permitted to attend Halloween parties or take children out, others are not affected by the policy.
"Nothing in our law prevents sex offenders from putting on costumes or masks," said Delaware State Police Sgt. Chuck Mullett.
"We have no jurisdiction over sex offenders not on probation," Ms. Welch added.
Parents can be cautious and warn their children about dangerous strangers, but most predators are acquainted with their victims.
"There are very few stranger abductions or rapes," said Sgt. Mullet.
Dr. Kate McGraw, clinical program manger for Bayhealth's St. Jones Center for Behavioral Health, says sexual predators defy a single description.
"It could be anybody, well respected or with a record. There are lots of ways a child predator can hide," she said.
She advises parents to be aware of whom their children spend time with.
"It is usually an adult who is overly interested in the child, then acts less mature or becomes upset if denied access to the child," she said.
Child molesters who are not family members tend to exhibit certain patterns of behavior.
"It's a secretive kind of behavior that tries to separate the child from a support system, and it's not usually carried out with threats of violence," she added.
One Web site dedicated to providing resources about sexual predators for parents, schools and community, www.childlures.com, says most predators are males who make efforts to gain access to children at child-related activities.
Delaware law requires sex offenders convicted after June 27, 1994, to register, and those offenders listed on the Delaware State Police Web site, www.state.de.dsp, but other than registration requirements, the offenders are not restricted from taking part in Halloween.
Offenders can be located either by name or by town and ZIP code.
Another Web site, www.mapsexoffenders.com, offers easy access to information about sex offenders in a particular area by simply typing in a street address, state and ZIP code.
When the map appears on the screen, a blue dot indicates the address entered in the search. Red dots indicate locations where sex offenders reside.
A click on the dot opens a link to show the offender's name and photo.
Parents might want to be aware of dangers children may face when sending them out onto the streets in costumes.
Police advise that parents or a responsible teenager accompany young children on trick or treat rounds, and carry a flashlight and cell phone.
Most Downstate communities allow children under 12 to trick or treat from 6-8 p.m. Monday, but parents may opt for alternative Halloween festivities such as the Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth Beach or a celebration from 3-5 p.m. today at Dover Mall.
Delaware's governors have traditionally opened Woodburn, the governor's mansion, for a Halloween haunting.
This year is no exception.
Woodburn will be open to costumed visitors form 6-8 p.m. Monday.
Post comments on this issue at newszapforums.com/forum60
Gwen Guerke can be reached at tell2gwen@aol.com.
On the Web
Two Web sites offer information about sex offenders near you:
www.state.de.dsp
www.mapsexoffenders.com
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