Halloween advisory issued for sex offenders

10-14-2014 South Carolina:

NEWBERRY — The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, along with the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, has issued an advisory that they will enforce a Halloween curfew for Newberry County registered sex offenders and offenders under its supervision for a sex-related offense.

“We want parents to know that there is an extra measure of protection when their children go trick-or-treating,” Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster said.

Instead of going door to door, Foster recommends that parents as well as children think about going to organized events such as Trunk-or-Treat or a Halloween carnival.

Foster said in cooperation with SCDPPPS they will keep track of those listed as sex offenders and for other offenses from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 25 in Whitmire and on Halloween in the city of Newberry, Newberry County and Prosperity.

The curfews are statewide, the only exception being those offenders who are working or in transit to or from work. The curfew is used to ensure the public’s peace of mind and minimize unnecessary issues for offenders.

The curfews will be enforced using surveillance techniques throughout the county that will include sex offender residency verification and spot-checks.

Sex offenders will be notified that there must be no lights on inside or outside of their homes, no candy distribution, and no participation in Halloween parties or carnivals.

The release from the NCSO stated that registered offenders in some counties will have to report to a designated location for the duration of the curfew. Those affected will be notified by their probation or parole agents. ..Source.. by Elyssa Parnell