Keeping your kids safe on Halloween is a top priority for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE is urging parents to pay attention where your kids go trick-or treating amid concerns over how some sex offenders may use the occasion to break the rules.
There are more than 700 registered sex offenders and predators in Lee county. Larry Long with FDLE tells Four In Your Corner parents should be actively checking the sex registry database often since the information is constantly changing.
"If a sexual predator or offender is on probation, their status may be that they can't hand out candy on Halloween," Long said. "They can't do some other things under Florida Statutes."
Sex offenders on probation are told to keep all lights off and not display any Halloween decorations to draw attention to their homes.
Keep in mind, some sex offenders and predators may not necessarily abide by the rules.
"We don't want to scare parents, but knowledge is power," Long said. "If you have the knowledge of where sex offenders and predators are residing, that can help you a lot in making choices of where your kids are going to go."
To check the FDLE database click here. You will be able to search for sex offenders in the area by city, zip code, and state.
