Cole County Sheriff’s deputies to check on sex offenders this Halloween

COLE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Cole County Sheriff's deputies will be checking in on registered sex offenders to make sure they are complying with Halloween restrictions.

Cole County deputies will make contact with registered offenders to personally verify required information.

Offenders that are not home are investigated further to verify their residency by checking mail delivery, vehicles at the residence, and speaking with neighbors.

Missouri law states any person required to register as a sex offender as of August 2008, must follow certain rules on October 31.

The law requires offenders to avoid all Halloween-related contact with children; remain inside the residence between the hours of 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (unless required to be elsewhere for just cause, including by not limited to employment or medical emergencies), they must post a sign on the residence stating, “No candy or treats at this residence”; and leave all outside residential lighting off during the evening hours after 5 p.m. Violators can be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.