GA- Sex offenders to observe curfew on Halloween

10-18-2008 Georgia:

ALBANY — Area law enforcement officials say they’re taking steps to ensure that trick-or-treaters this month don’t have to worry about be tricked by registered sex offenders.

Alfred Johnson, a supervisor for the Albany Probation Office, said his organization is working with Albany area law enforcement agencies to take steps to make sure area children are safe on Halloween.

Known as the Halloween Sex Offender Initiative, Johnson said that his office will be taking special action to notify some of the more than 260 registered sex offenders in Dougherty County about plans to keep them under watch Halloween night.

Johnson says that active probationers who are sex offenders will be required to come to the probation office from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 31 and observe a special curfew to ensure the safety of trick-or-treaters.


“We’re not out to embarrass our sex offenders,” he said. “Our goal is to make sure that we’re providing a safe community atmosphere for children to have fun safely.”

At the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, where Lt. Rebecca Williamson keeps track of the county’s registered sex offenders, deputies are preparing to check public events scheduled for Halloween night to ensure that any known child predators don’t make an appearance.

-Is that legal? Can the police prevent folks not on parole or probation from going somewhere without any law that prohibits same?

“We’re adding more every day,” she said. “But we’re going to help with probation’s efforts to make sure that everything stays quiet that night.”

Some states are requiring their sex offenders to post fliers on their doors with the words “No Candy” posted so that children won’t be tempted to walk up to the wrong doors.

In Albany, officers are taking a more preventative approach.

“We’re planning to send out mailers describing the curfew and rules that will require them to do certain things, like keep their lights off and things like that,” Johnson said. “And we’ll have officers going around checking houses to make sure than none are hosting Halloween parties or things like that.” ..News Source.. by J.D. SUMNER