Sex Offender Watch: Which Houses To Avoid on Halloween
Take a look at this interactive map of registered sex offenders living in Beverly, Mount Greenwood and Morgan Park.
Map information comes from the Illinois Sex Offender Registry
As your kids get ready to head out on Halloween, it's always a good idea to take safety precautions. Patch put together a map of the registered child sex offenders living in your area.
You can also search for adult sex offenders through the Chicago Police Departement's Clear Path system.
In 2005 a law was passed that bars sex offenders who are still under supervision from taking part in holidays geared toward children, including Halloween. They are often advised to turn off their porch lights and to not answer the door.
Scroll over the pinpoints to see the addresses and click on the pinpoints to view the charges the offender was convicted of. You can search the registry directly.
- Registered sex offenders are not allowed to distribute candy to children; however, the law does give leeway to sex offenders who are parents or legal guardians of children under age 18 living in the home.
- Registered sex offenders often are advised by police to keep porch lights turned off to avoid attracting children on Halloween and to not answer the door.
- Sex offenders are ordered to report to their respective districts where they will view a 20-minute, educational video detailing their responsibilities and requirements under the law, such as not living with 500 feet of a school, no social networking, and regularly updating their home address.
Claudia M.
11:21 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Thanks for posting this crucial information, thank you I (we) appreciate information like this to keep our children safe from this sick people.....!
Will
8:49 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Year after year, Patch.com publishes this misinformation in an attempt to sensationalize on a national hysteria. Although I have corresponded with various authors at Patch.com on numerous occasions, this news outlet continues to run these stories without including the facts. Studies have shown that children are much more likely to be hurt in a car accident, or by juvenile pranks, than be harmed by any sexual misconduct. In fact, at least one study concluded that there has never been any link between Halloween and increased sexual assaults. Police should be focusing on keeping children safe from real problems, rather than spending their time making sure registered sex offenders don't turn on their porch lights. Get with the times, Patch.
Jane
10:29 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012
Will, while your post has merit, there are many more factors to keep kids safe; however, studies have also shown, that without proper treatment (therapy, etc.), that the recidivism (used here to mean a repeat sexual offense) does in fact, occur. I believe this is simply a tool provided to help residents aware of potential dangers, at Halloween, or any time of the year. Patch--Thank you.