Sheriff: Beware of sex offenders while trick-or-treating

Last Update: 10/31/2005 7:54:15 AMBy: Todd Dukart
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Bernalillo County deputies want to make sure sex offenders don’t take advantage of trick-or-treaters on many kids’ favorite holiday: Halloween.
“There is nothing more frightening than the thought of our children out on Halloween trick-or-treating and knocking on the doors of convicted sex offenders,” said Sheriff Darren White.
To prevent it, White is calling in more deputies to watch over the homes of more than 800 sex offenders registered with the county.
White is also asking parents to visit his department’s website to find registered offenders near them.
Other resources for parents
Another website, called MapSexOffenders.com, can map registered offenders throughout 37 states, including New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children advises parents to not let their children go trick-or-treating alone. Trusted adults should accompany younger kids, while older children should take a friend.
Also, the center says, kids should be told to make a scene if someone grabs them.
Bernalillo Co. Sex Offender Map
MapSexOffenders.com
Safety Tips from NCMEC (PDF)