Sex offenders and Halloween: Law enforcement cracking down on violations

Law enforcement agencies across Mid-Missouri are keeping an eye out for sex offender violations over the Halloween holiday.

According to state law, sex offenders are not allowed to have Halloween decorations, answer the door for trick or treaters, or even have their porch light on while trick or treaters are out.

Boone County has two deputies dedicated to monitoring the registry list and making sure sex offenders are in compliance with the rules.

“We will randomly go and do those checks to make sure they are in compliance and those we find not in compliance, we go after them and arrest them,” Major Tom Reddin with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department tells ABC 17 News.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has a list of every offender’s home and work address for public use. It’s also reminding parents to remind trick-or-treaters to only approach houses they know and that have their light on. Also the patrol is reminding parents to make sure their kids know to never enter a stranger’s house or car.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department also has a list of registered offenders, their home address and what their offense was.