NY- City asks sex offenders to post signs on Halloween

10-21-2008 New York:

UTICA — City officials are strongly encouraging the 67 Level three sex offenders in Utica to place signs outside their homes on Halloween that will tell children not to trick-or-treat at those locations, city Public Safety Commissioner and acting police Chief Daniel LaBella said today.

The city is sending letters to Level three sex offenders, who are people who have committed severe sex crimes against children, asking them not to hand out candy to children and to hang the city-provided signs on their houses so that they can be seen from the street, LaBella said.

Level 3 sex offenders living in an apartment building will be required to put the signs on their apartment doors instead of outside the building, he said.

The signs state “no candy at this residence” in black letters over the top of a pumpkin graphic.

LaBella said the city can’t make the sex offenders hang up the signs, but he will attempt to pass legislation by next Halloween that would make it an offense to not do so.

This year, officials will check to see who complied, LaBella said. The next time people who didn’t put up the sign meet with city officials, the officials will ask them why they didn’t comply, LaBella said.

-I cannot believe they are going to ask, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand why, your violating rights, its that simple.

The idea of the plan is to provide Uticans with information that can help them have a safe, enjoyable Halloween, LaBella said.

“We feel an informed community is a protected community,” he said. ..News Source.. by BRYON ACKERMAN, Observer-Dispatch