Mid-Missouri authorities keep sex offenders in check on Halloween
Multiple mid-Missouri counties will check on registered sex offenders to make sure they are complying with the state law in place for Halloween.
The law requires offenders to avoid all Halloween-related contact with children and stay inside their homes between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Offenders are required to post a sign on their home stating, "No candy or treats at this residence." Offenders must turn off all outside lights after 5 p.m. Violation of these rules is a class A misdemeanor.
Both Cole and Callaway County Sheriff's departments said they will be doing checks before the holiday.
Callaway County Sheriff Clay Chism said multiple officers are involved in the process.
"Our criminal investigator whom is assigned to sex offender registration investigations, in addition to patrol deputies, will be conducting checks at the properties of registered sex offenders around the county to ensure their compliance with Halloween related statutes," Chism said.
In Cole County, deputies will make contact with each offender and verify their required information. Offenders not home will be investigated, according to the department.
Below is a list of counties in mid-Missouri that have interactive sex offender maps.
Anyone can also check on sex offenders across the state by looking at the Missouri sex offender registry on the Missouri State Highway Patrols website.
To view the map, you first must accept the terms and conditions on at the top of the screen. Then, click "Search/Map Offenders". On the next page, you will click on the button that says "Click here or on button for State Map," on the right side of your screen.
A map will come up where you can view where registered sex offenders live and work, and find each conviction as well.
There are also applications for your phone that do provide the same information.
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