Communities across the country are working with sex offenders and trying to ensure a safe, happy Halloween.
Law enforcement officials in several areas are checking up on parolees and probationers on their state's sex offender registry.
Costume parties are off limits for some sex offenders. Tennessee, New York, Ohio, North Carolina and Maryland are just a few of the states where there are restrictions for sex offenders at Halloween.
Maryland law enforcement officials are warning child sex offenders not to get too excited about Halloween. In fact, the offenders are being asked not to decorate their homes to attract trick-or-treaters.
The Division of Parole and Probation sent a letter this month to all parolees and probationers on the state's sex offender registry. It recommends that the offenders keep their lights off and their doors closed Tuesday evening.
The letter said those actions will show neighbors that the offenders are trying to change the direction of their lives. And it said offenders can protect themselves from misunderstandings that could lead to legal allegations.
Several jurisdictions including Baltimore County will be sending out plainclothes officers to look for sex offenders who have contact with children other than their own.
And in North Carolina, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office plans to do more checks on sex offenders.
A spokeswoman said the office works to verify sex offender's addresses every day, but there will be more checking on Tuesday. The county has nearly 600 registered sex offenders, and authorities will try to verify as many addresses as they can.
Parole officers also plan to visit about 100 sex offenders who are under their supervision.
All sex offenders in North Carolina who are under parole or probation are required to stay home and are prohibited from participating in Halloween activities at or outside their homes.
Sex offenders in Gaston County, N.C., have already been ordered to spend part of Halloween at the county courthouse.
In Tennessee, sex offenders on probation or parole are banned from costume parties and aren't allowed to put up decorations like jack-o-lanterns that might attract youngsters.
Corn field mazes and haunted houses are also off limits. The restrictions 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.
That even means that offenders with children must find someone else to accompany them on trick-or-treating walks. And if other children knock on their doors on Halloween, the offenders must not answer.
New York has similar restrictions, and a Halloween curfew.
Sex offenders in parts of Ohio and North Carolina were ordered to attend meetings with authorities that coincide with the prime hours for trick-or-treating.
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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