Sex offenders banned from Halloween events

In some areas, sex offenders must attend meetings during trick-or-treating.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Sex offenders on probation or parole in Tennessee are banned from Halloween costume parties this year and aren't even allowed to put up decorations such as jack-o-lanterns that might attract youngsters.
The new state guidelines 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.
Tennessee isn't the only state keeping close watch on sex offenders during Halloween. 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, N.C., were ordered to attend meetings with authorities that coincide with the prime hours for trick-or-treating.
Maryland has even 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.
Statewide restrictions
The Tennessee restrictions prohibit sex offenders from attending special Halloween events such as cornfield mazes and haunted houses, handing out treats, displaying Halloween decorations, accompanying trick-or-treating children or wearing costumes.
They apply to all sex offenders on probation or parole -- about 2,000 of the 8,100 registered offenders living in the state -- and not specifically to those offenders whose crimes involved minors.
"No matter what their sex offense might have been, they must adhere to the same rules," Elder said. "Any sex offender is not supposed to have contact with minors. They all sign the same directives."
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