Parents advised to keep children away from registered sex offenders on Halloween

Parents advised to keep children away from registered sex offenders on Halloween
Authorities are advising parents to check the list of registered sex offenders in the county before sending their kids out trick-or-treating on Halloween on Monday. Parents are already worried about razor-spiked apples and poisoned candy on this day and this is the first time that they are being warned to be on the lookout for sex offenders as well.

The last few months have seen a spurt in sex crimes against minors in the country and Florida topped the list. Jessica Lunsford in Citrus County and 13-year-old Sarah Lunde in Hillsborough County were the victims of registered and convicted sex offenders in the state and police want to make sure that a night of fun does not turn nightmarish for kids.

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Local authorities are taking steps to see that kids do not unknowingly fall into traps set by such offenders on Halloween night. "The sex offenders are under state supervision and are instructed not to decorate their home, not to give out candy and not do anything that would lure children to them," Department of Corrections spokesman Robby Cunningham, Polk and Volusia, said of the practice the agency has followed for several years. "Kids are going to be out in the streets and knocking on doors. We don't want a sex offender to be the one opening the door."

According to official figures there are 4,500 sex offenders and predators registered in Central Florida and police are advising parents to keep an eye on their children as they set out on Halloween night and keep them away from the areas where these offenders reside. Kissimmee police Officer Ralph Herrera has also asked parents to visit the state Web site and check out the updated list of offenders.

Carolyn Atwell-Davis, the director of legislative affairs for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has lauded the efforts of the authorities in ensuring that kids enjoy an incident-free Halloween, "Obviously, children are victimized every night of the year, but Halloween is a child-centered holiday. . . . It's an ideal opportunity for parents to learn how to keep their children safe."