Parents getting ready for a fun Halloween night Tuesday might want to add one more thing to their prep list: checking if any sex offenders live on their trick-or-treating route.
The FDLE Sexual Offender and Predator Database allows anyone to search where offenders might be in their neighborhood, by putting in their address, ZIP code and then selecting anywhere from a 1/4-mile to a 5-mile radius.
Here are the steps to search for nearby offenders:
- Go the FDLE database (Click here)
- Click the red "Offender Search" tab
- Go to the green "Neighborhood Search" section and click "Standard"
- Type in your address
- Pick either the "City" or "ZIP Code" button and then type in that information
- Select the radius you wish to search in the drop-down window (1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, 1 mile, 2 mile, 3 mile, 4 mile, 5 mile)
- Pick either "List" or "Map" (however you wish the information to be displayed)
- Click the "Search" button to show results
On top of knowing where sex offenders might be living, some parents might be interested to know what local rules are in place governing what offenders can and cannot do on Halloween.
We've compiled a county-by-county breakdown of those rules and regulations below, along with what area sheriff's offices are planning as far as enforcement.
Duval County
In Duval County, sex offenders and predators are not allowed to wear costumes or masks at any time of year that might entice or lure children.
They also are required to avoid any contact with children related to Halloween and to post a sign in front of their homes that reads “No candy or treats here,” from 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31.
There are even regulations about the size of the letters on the sign and how visible it must be from the street.
Offenders must also turn off exterior lights around their homes and walkways after 5 p.m. on Oct. 31 and cannot use any Halloween decorations.
Offenders who don't comply can face a fine up to $500, up to 60 days in jail or both.
JSO Sgt. J.C. Ladue said the sheriff's office has a preplanned operation to check on the more than 2,000 sexual predators and offenders in the county and make sure they're complying with the city's ordinances regarding Halloween.
For more specifics on the regulations, click here.
St. Johns County
In St. Johns County, sex offenders are not permitted to participate in any holiday event involving children, including distributing candy on Halloween or wearing costumes that might attract children.
Offenders must avoid all contact with children related to Halloween, must post a sign that says, “No candy or treats at this residence,” must turn off all exterior lights after 5 p.m. on Halloween and cannot display any Halloween decorations.
Any offender caught not following the ordinance in their county can face a fine up to $500, up to 60 days in jail or both.
Cmdr. Chuck Mulligan with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office said the department's SPOT team goes around the county each year on Halloween making sure those who fall under the county ordinance are complying with the rules. He said the team changes its tactics and patterns every year to be sure offenders don't know exactly when they'll be stopping by.
St. Johns County also has an option for parents to track when sex offenders move into an area. Parents can go to www.sjso.org and put in addresses where they plan to trick-or-treat, or that they visit often or where their kids spend a lot of time and then sign up for email alerts to get notified when sex offenders move into those areas. For more information, email spot@sjso.org or call 904-209-1570.
For more on the St. Johns County rules, click here.
Nassau County
Just as in St. Johns, sex offenders in Nassau County are not permitted to participate in any holiday event involving children, including distributing candy on Halloween or wearing costumes that might attract children.
Offenders must avoid all contact with children related to Halloween, must post a sign that says, “No candy or treats at this residence,” must turn off all exterior lights after 5 p.m. on Halloween and cannot display any Halloween decorations.
Any offender caught not following the ordinance in their county can face a fine up to $500, up to 60 days in jail or both.
For more on the Nassau County ordinance, click here.
Clay County
In Clay County, the Special Victims Unit monitors offenders and predators, and they will be going around reminding those on parole of the specific rules they are under regarding Halloween, said Clay County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Keith Smith.
He said deputies encourage parents to check the FDLE website or go the Crime Watch page on ClaySheriff.com to search for offenders and predators who might be on their trick-or-treating route.
To find the Crime Watch page, go to ClaySheriff.com and click on Community Crime Map under the News menu.
From there, parents can type in a specific address, click the buffer option to set a radius around their home (500 feet to 5 miles), and then click the sex/known offender option under the Offenders menu to check for offenders. The map allows users to zoom into the street level to see exactly where offenders live.
For those interested in a safe alternative to traditional neighborhood trick-or-treating, the Green Cove Springs Police Department will host its fourth annual Trunk or Treat event for kids of all ages from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the police department headquarters at 1001 Idlewild Ave.
The free event will feature games, face painting, entertainment and candy in a safe and secure setting, police said.
“We started this event because parents told us they were concerned about their children’s safety, specifically on Halloween,” said Police Chief Derek Asdot. “Year after year our officers work with local businesses, schools and churches in the community and host fundraising events to provide a positive environment where parents and children can celebrate this holiday knowing they are safe from harm.”
Flagler County
According to Public Affairs Officer Brittany Kershaw, Flagler County deputies are tasked with visiting the homes of all the county's sex offenders who have Halloween restrictions included in their probation.
The visits, which apply to 22 offenders in the county, are to make sure the offenders are complying with the regulations, which include turning their exterior lights off, not handing out candy and not displaying any Halloween decorations.
The county will also be providing residents with a flyer that includes the names, addresses and photos of all 22 offenders to help parents know which homes to avoid during trick-or-treating.
To read the flyer, click here.
Putnam County
According to Capt. Hancel Woods, sex offenders and predators in Putnam County and required to have their exterior lights off after dark on Halloween night and to not decorate or hand out candy.
He said deputies will be going around with probation and parole officers on Halloween night to spot check the homes of local sex offenders to make sure they are complying with the regulations.
He also encouraged parents to be sure an adult is out with their children as they trick-or-treat and that they carry a light source or wear reflective clothing for safety. He also recommended inspecting candy the children collect during trick-or-treating.
Baker County
Sgt. Tracie Benton said sex offenders and predators in Baker County are not permitted to give out candy or display decorations and must have their exterior lights off on Halloween night.
Benton said the Baker County Sheriff's Office partners with the felony probation team in the county to check on offenders and predators who are on probation and make sure they are following the guidelines.
The Sheriff's Office will also be going around to the homes of registered offenders in some of the neighborhoods frequented by trick-or-treaters and posting signs that read, “No Candy Here.”
Bradford County
Capt. Dawn McKinley, who works at the Bradford County Jail, said flyers are sent to all sex offenders in the area reminding them not to turn their porch lights on or display Halloween decorations or anything that might entice children to come to their door for trick-or-treating.
She said no local ordinance prevents offenders from participating in Halloween, but those still on probation are under specific guidelines regarding interacting with children.
Because of strict city ordinances regarding sex offenders living in Starke, most offenders in Bradford County are living in the county's rural areas where trick-or-treating is less common, McKinley said.
She also said law enforcement in the county encourage families to participate in the annual Great Pumpkin Escape event downtown on Oct. 28, in lieu of old fashioned trick-or-treating. The event is much safer for children and features a public safety event including the sheriff's office, emergency services, and local fire and police departments, McKinley said.
She added that extra patrols will be out at the event and that they will be watching specifically for any sex offenders who might show up.
Columbia County
Sgt. Murray Smith said the Columbia County Sheriff's Office is active throughout the year in letting the public know where sexual predators live in there area. He said deputies make mandatory announcements on social media whenever a predator enters the county, and any place within a mile of where they live is notified face-to-face by a detective.
He said he encourage parents to check the FDLE website (see info above) to find any predators or offenders in their neighborhoods and to sign up for alerts if any move into the area.
The Sheriff's Office also sends out a Halloween safety bulletin, which includes advice to trick-or-treat only in neighborhoods where the family is familiar with who lives in the area.
Smith said that while Columbia County's ordinance might not name Halloween specifically, predators do have to follow rules year round about not enticing children to come to their homes.
The detective in charge of the county's sexual predator tracking unit will also be coordinating some increased patrols.
Union County
Capt. Lyn Williams explained that because of the county's regulations no sexual predators can move into Union County, only sex offenders.
He said sex offenders in the county are not required to place signs in front of their homes but they are told to turn their lights off and not decorate their homes for Halloween.
He said the county's offender unit will be out patrolling both on Tuesday during Halloween trick-or-treating and during the county's festival on Saturday to make sure offenders are in compliance and not enticing any children.