Sex Offenders Banned in TN from Holloween activities
Its about time states start taking pro-active action against sex offenders. Sex offenders on parole or probation are banned in Tennessee from Halloween costume parties this year and are not allowed to put up decorations like jack-o-lanterns that might attract youngsters. A holiday that centers around children, masks and going door to door, one would thing is a sex predators dream. We applaud states that are raking such actions seriously.
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. (AP)
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.
The Tennessee restrictions:
- prohibit sex offenders from attending special Halloween events like corn field mazes and haunted houses
- handing out treats, displaying Halloween decorations
- accompanying trick-or-treating children
- wearing costumes.
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