Halloween is nearly upon us, but before you take your child trick-or-treating, it’s important to keep in mind which houses near you are safe to visit.
Unlike other residents in the state, sex offenders aren’t allowed to partake in many Halloween festivities.
These restrictions include not giving out candy or other treats, turning off porch lights and closing blinds, and not decorating outside.
And of course, these offenders are strictly prohibited from answering the door for trick-or-treaters, attending Halloween parties, and dressing up in costumes or masks, according to state officials.
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Even aside from these legal matters, many parents may want to avoid accidentally bringing their children to the home of a sex offender. That’s why the state hosts a database showing exactly where these offenders live.
To access this database and search your neighborhood, follow the steps below:
- Head to the FDLE’s website here.
- Input your address and the radius of your search.
- After hitting “Search,” a map will pop up showing offenders and predators in your area.
- You can also scroll down to examine a list of offenders living in your area.
The database allows users to view the addresses and specific charges that these offenders and predators were convicted of.
In addition, the FDLE allows users to track offenders using the agency’s alert system.