(OT): Who's going to defend these people's civil rights?
- From: Jason Pawloski <jpawloski@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:58:30 -0700
Defending these people will likely result in you being called a "pedo"
and "sick pervert." You'll probably receive death threats in your
email too.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/31/halloween.offenders/index.html
Scores of sex offenders in Anderson, South Carolina, will be corralled
for Halloween tonight in a move authorities say is needed to keep kids
safe as they trick or treat.
Keeping trick or treaters safe from sex offenders is a priority for
many law enforcement officials on Halloween.
"At 5 p.m., we are going to require all of our probation/parole/
pardon sex offenders to report to the office and they'll remain here
from 5 to 10:30 p.m," agent Gerald Black, with the South Carolina
Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon, told CNN affiliate WYFF.
Authorities in Roanoke, Virginia, will do the same. "You have a safer
public. We have all the offenders in this area that are on probation
or parole in one location. We know where they are," Randy Phillips
with the Department of Corrections told CNN affiliate WSLS.
While there's a debate about the need for restrictions and authorities
aren't imposing such stringent restrictions everywhere, special limits
on sex offenders for the evening are widespread.
Paroled offenders in California have a 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, cannot
leave any outside lights on and may not answer their doors except for
law enforcement. Illinois offenders face similar restrictions,
including a ban on dressing in a costume.
Fact Box
Across the United States, law enforcement officials are taking steps
to keep sex offenders away from children on Halloween. For example, in
accordance with Tennessee state law, sex offenders are limited to the
following:
Neither they, nor anyone in their home, may answer the door to trick-
or-treaters
They may not pass out candy or give Halloween treats to children
Their homes may not be decorated for the holiday, either inside or
outside
They may not visit haunted houses, corn mazes, hay rides or any other
seasonal activities
They may not attend any function where children are gathered,
including private residences
They may not wear costumes
They may not accompany a trick-or-treating child
Source: State of Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole Sheriff's
deputies in Harris County, Texas, have been checking homes of sex
offenders for Halloween decorations and are ready to arrest violators.
"We actually have probation officers riding with us," Precinct 7
Deputy Johnathon Davis told CNN affiliate KPRC. "They're going to
issue them a citation or their probation is going to be revoked."
About 2,000 registered sex offenders in Maryland will be required to
post "No Candy" signs on their doors on Halloween night.
Michigan and Wisconsin are among states urging parents to check the
state's public sex offender registry before venturing out in search of
treats.
"For many parents, Halloween represents a time when our children fan
out into neighborhoods that may not be familiar," Michigan Attorney
General Mike Cox told CNN affiliate WDIV. "Doing a timely check of the
sex offender registry can help parents be informed about potential
risks in the community and take appropriate measures to safeguard
their children."
Authorities in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, took preventative measures
Sunday, arresting 11 sex offenders on probation and parole violations
during a sweep of 100 homes, CNN affiliate WISN reported.
One of the Milwaukee offenders was arrested after police found a candy
dish and children's toys, both prohibited items, in his apartment.
But some say the sex offender roundups and restrictions are more show
than safety.
"There has not been a single case of any child being molested by a
convicted sex offender while trick-or-treating," writes columnist
Benjamin Radford on LiveScience.com.
Rebecca Brunger, an Alaska probation officer, told the Anchorage Daily
News her state doesn't put any extra restrictions on sex offenders on
Halloween as there's never been a case there of a trick-or-treater
being molested by a registered offender.
Idaho defense attorney Tim Gresback told the Spokesman-Review, in
Spokane, Washington, that extra Halloween restrictions on sex offender
are unnecessary.
"Here we're creating a new police action squad to go out and address a
problem that has never manifested itself in the community," Gresback
told the newspaper. He said in 20 years he'd never run across a case
of a sex offender attacking a child on Halloween.
But states and communities don't want to take any chances.
New York offenders face a 3 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew coupled with phone
calls and visits from probation officers.
"Our Halloween operation gives parents, caregivers, law enforcement
and the community added assurance that children will be protected and
neighborhoods will be safe from known predators," said George B.
Alexander, chairman of the New York state Division of Parole. E-mail
to a friend
.
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