Sex Offenders on probation or parole in Allen County will be off the streets this Halloween, but that doesn't mean your children are completely safe. Nicole Pence reports.

Unlike last year, this Halloween the three agencies in charge of monitoring sex offenders on parole and probation will make them all meet up on trick-or-treat night for educational meetings and most importantly, to keep them away from children. But, some sex offenders can still give out candy.

Almost six-hundred registered sex offenders live in Allen County. Detective Jeff Shimkus says Community Corrections, the Adult Probation Department, and the State Parole Office are making it mandatory for those people to be with officers next Wednesday night. This meeting was not done last year.

But, a sex offender off probation or parole who's done their time, has no such restriction.

Detective Jeff Shimkus/Allen co. Sheriff Dept: "If the offender is not on parole or probation, then there is nothing in the law that prohibits him from handing out candy to kids. So, the, main thing we tell parents to never let their child trick or treat alone."

Shimkus says, especially on Halloween, parents need to take advantage of the registry websites that allow you to check to see if a registered sex offender does live near your home within a one-mile radius. All you need to do is enter your address and a detailed map pops up. Parents should then choose a trick-or-treating route that obviously doesn't include those homes. At the end of the year, the registries will be updated to include more detailed maps and safety tips for parents.

Websites:
WWW.ALLENCOUNTYSHERIFF.COM
WWW.INSOR.ORG