SC- SC sex offenders have 5 p.m. Halloween curfew

10-22-2008 SOuth Carolina:

COLUMBIA, S.C. --Sex offenders on probation or parole in South Carolina will again have a 5 p.m. curfew on Halloween.

The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services plans to check on the nearly 1,200 sex offenders it monitors through phone calls and home checks.

The agency says offenders cannot host parities, give out candy or even have their outdoor lights on from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Halloween.

Last year, several South Carolina counties required all sex offenders to show up at events at the sheriff's office on Halloween. ..News Source.. by The State




State’s sex offenders to get Halloween check

10-23-2008 SOuth Carolina:

Curfew set up to keep them away from children

Sex offenders on probation or parole can expect a visit or phone call this Halloween from a South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services agent to make sure they are home.

For the fourth year, the department has enacted a curfew to keep sex offenders away from children who are trick-or-treating.

Under this year’s curfew, which is in effect from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 31, the 1,196 sex offenders across the state under the agency’s supervision must:

• Stay home

• Keep outside lights off

• Not give out candy

• Not participate in Halloween parties

“The goal is to reassure parents that their children can trick or treat safely and not have to worry about coming in contact, even incidentally, with a sex offender,” agency spokesman Pete O’Boyle said.

There are 11,023 registered sex offenders in the state, according to State Law Enforcement Division spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons.

The curfew applies only to registered sex offenders under the pardon and parole agency’s supervision.

In the past three years, 30 sex offenders across the state have been arrested for violating the curfew, O’Boyle said.

Of 12 arrests last year, five were in Richland County, two were in Dorchester County and one each were in Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Cherokee and Florence counties.

None stemmed from illegal contact between offenders and children, O’Boyle said.

Agents will knock on doors, call the homes of sex offenders or drive by to make sure they are abiding by the curfew. At least 200 agents are expected to participate, O’Boyle said.

Last year, the agency made 1,586 residence and telephone checks of sex offenders.

In Lexington County, all 446 registered sex offenders are subject to a random visit by a sheriff’s deputy, Sheriff James Metts said.

Deputies will knock on doors mostly of sex offenders who have been convicted of crimes against children, Metts said.

“What we’re concerned about is that they not have any exposure to the children,” Metts said.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department will assist the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services agents in enforcing the curfew. ..News Source.. by LEE HIGGINS