Increased Safety for Halloween Trick Or Treating In Your Neighborhood

Sex offenders on probation or parole in various cities and states are banned from Halloween costume parties this year and aren't allowed to put up decorations like jack-o-lanterns that might attract youngsters.

New state guidelines in Tennessee are meant to clarify policies that prevent offenders from interacting with children, said Board of Probation and Parole spokesman Jack Elder, and were not enacted in response to any specific problems the board has seen during the Halloween season.

Meanwhile, New York issued similar Halloween restrictions for sex offenders this year and imposed a 3 p.m. to 6 a.m. Halloween curfew on them. Sex offenders in Lima, Ohio, and Gaston County, North Carolina, were ordered to attend meetings with authorities that coincide with the prime hours for trick-or-treating.

Maryland has told sex offenders on parole or probation to keep their porch lights turned off Tuesday night. In addition, Baltimore County will pay about 20 plainclothes officers overtime to work the streets and look for sex offenders who have contact with children other than their own, said county police Cpl. Michael Hill.

The Tennessee restrictions prohibit sex offenders from attending special Halloween events like corn field mazes and haunted houses, handing out treats, displaying Halloween decorations, accompanying trick-or-treating children or wearing costumes.

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For more tips for safe trick or treating, click here, here and here.