Sex offenders ordered to stay home on Halloween
800 on probation prohibited from handing out candy
SEX OFFENDER INFORMATION
For information on Delaware's registered sex offenders, visit www.state.de.us/dsp/sexoff. For lists of offenders in 37 states, visit www.mapsexoffenders.com.
Related news from the WebLatest headlines by topic:• Holidays • Life • Halloween • Discuss Halloween Powered by Topix.net
By ROBIN BROWN and MIKE BILLINGTONThe News Journal
10/29/2005
About 800 registered sex offenders in Delaware have been ordered to stay home Halloween night and not answer their doors or give out candy.
No Halloween incidents involving sex offenders and trick-or-treaters have been reported in Delaware, according to Department of Correction spokeswoman Beth Welch, who said the state started the restrictions 10 years ago.
"The total number of registered sex offenders in the state of Delaware is 3,085," she said. Halloween restrictions apply to all serving probation, Welch said, adding, "that number totals approximately 800 statewide."
Delaware also requires registered sex offenders to turn off outdoor lights, because they are a traditional invitation for trick-or-treaters.
Their curfew runs from 5:30 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday, but Welch noted an exception: Offenders may have their probation officers' permission to be out if they are scheduled to work at approved job sites.
State probation officers -- who notified offenders of the restrictions -- will spend Halloween making unannounced checks at homes and workplaces, she said.
Some sex offenders on probation who are working Monday may be subject to special workplace rules, such as delaying going home from work to avoid trick-or-treaters, Welch said.
"That would be decided on an individual basis," she said.
Violators could face a range of punishments depending on the terms of their probations. "Nothing's set," Welch said.
Delaware is one of several states that began restrictions as a precaution after the 1993 start of sex-offender registries, she said.
This is the first year, however, for such restrictions in New Jersey. There, about 2,200 sex offenders were sent letters about the rules, including a 7 p.m. Halloween curfew and ban on handing out candy, going to kids' parties or taking their own children trick-or-treating.
Illinois, Virginia and Texas also ban sex offenders from giving out candy or being on the streets on Halloween.
Delaware's caution earns praise from Claude Forbes, president of the 7&40 Alliance umbrella group in Bear and the maintenance group in Newtown Village, where he lives.
Forbes, a parent with no kids at home, believes in year-round awareness and, on his community Web site, offers links to sex-offender registries in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
What concerns Forbes are sex offenders "who have not registered or who are not at the addresses where they are registered ... the ones who may be working somewhere else."
State police spokesman Cpl. Jeff Oldham said parents remain the key to kids' safety. They should go with children, check candy and make sure they carry flashlights -- and cell phones.
Staff reporter Michele Besso contributed to this article.Contact robin brown at 324-2856 or rbrown@delawareonline.com.Contact Mike Billington at 324-2761 or mbillington@delawareonline.com.
SEX OFFENDER INFORMATION
For information on Delaware's registered sex offenders, visit www.state.de.us/dsp/sexoff. For lists of offenders in 37 states, visit www.mapsexoffenders.com.
Related news from the WebLatest headlines by topic:• Holidays • Life • Halloween • Discuss Halloween Powered by Topix.net
By ROBIN BROWN and MIKE BILLINGTONThe News Journal
10/29/2005
About 800 registered sex offenders in Delaware have been ordered to stay home Halloween night and not answer their doors or give out candy.
No Halloween incidents involving sex offenders and trick-or-treaters have been reported in Delaware, according to Department of Correction spokeswoman Beth Welch, who said the state started the restrictions 10 years ago.
"The total number of registered sex offenders in the state of Delaware is 3,085," she said. Halloween restrictions apply to all serving probation, Welch said, adding, "that number totals approximately 800 statewide."
Delaware also requires registered sex offenders to turn off outdoor lights, because they are a traditional invitation for trick-or-treaters.
Their curfew runs from 5:30 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday, but Welch noted an exception: Offenders may have their probation officers' permission to be out if they are scheduled to work at approved job sites.
State probation officers -- who notified offenders of the restrictions -- will spend Halloween making unannounced checks at homes and workplaces, she said.
Some sex offenders on probation who are working Monday may be subject to special workplace rules, such as delaying going home from work to avoid trick-or-treaters, Welch said.
"That would be decided on an individual basis," she said.
Violators could face a range of punishments depending on the terms of their probations. "Nothing's set," Welch said.
Delaware is one of several states that began restrictions as a precaution after the 1993 start of sex-offender registries, she said.
This is the first year, however, for such restrictions in New Jersey. There, about 2,200 sex offenders were sent letters about the rules, including a 7 p.m. Halloween curfew and ban on handing out candy, going to kids' parties or taking their own children trick-or-treating.
Illinois, Virginia and Texas also ban sex offenders from giving out candy or being on the streets on Halloween.
Delaware's caution earns praise from Claude Forbes, president of the 7&40 Alliance umbrella group in Bear and the maintenance group in Newtown Village, where he lives.
Forbes, a parent with no kids at home, believes in year-round awareness and, on his community Web site, offers links to sex-offender registries in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
What concerns Forbes are sex offenders "who have not registered or who are not at the addresses where they are registered ... the ones who may be working somewhere else."
State police spokesman Cpl. Jeff Oldham said parents remain the key to kids' safety. They should go with children, check candy and make sure they carry flashlights -- and cell phones.
Staff reporter Michele Besso contributed to this article.Contact robin brown at 324-2856 or rbrown@delawareonline.com.Contact Mike Billington at 324-2761 or mbillington@delawareonline.com.
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