Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Parents Track Sex Offender Homes for Halloween

But critics warn that friends, family members are responsible for most kid assaults

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 12, 2009 2:13 AM CDT

(Newser) – Parents are preparing for their kids' trick or treating this year with a costume, candy bag—and a map of all the sex offenders in the neighborhood. Concerned families are turning to an iPhone application locating sex offender addresses to plan routes on the spooky night. "With Halloween, I'm able to see if anybody on the list is located near me,” a New Jersey mom told the Times of London.

The Offender Locator application has been downloaded a million times since it became available in June. Some 700,000 sex offenders have registered across the US. Halloween is a "prime time for sexual predators," said an official with the company that created the software. But critics of the application warn that much of the data may be out of date, and that most sex attacks on children are committed by family members and friends, not strangers.

What danger lurks on Halloween night?
What danger lurks on Halloween night?   (©Tech109)
A little Maryland witch races to her next destination.
A little Maryland witch races to her next destination.   (Getty Images)
Kids on a trick or treat mission in Miami.
Kids on a trick or treat mission in Miami.   (Getty Images)
Parents this year are taking extra precautions to protect their kids from sex predators Halloween night.
Parents this year are taking extra precautions to protect their kids from sex predators Halloween night.   (©daveparker)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
RockyPneumonia
Oct 12, 2009 12:50 PM CDT
I would guess that it varies from state to state and from city to city.
Thinker
Oct 12, 2009 12:14 PM CDT
How about we stop with the "trick or treat" nonsense? Talk about risky behavior ... "Ok Susie, you can walk from house to house and ask strangers for candy. Just don't go to THAT stranger's house." In the 50s this quaint little practice was ok, but today it's suicidal. And, if a bunch of masked kids came to my door, there is no way I would open it. What a stupid, stupid practice.
riffran
Oct 12, 2009 12:08 PM CDT
I do not think you are mistaken

More Newser Stories

Sex Assault on Chihuahua Gets Ex-Convict 10 Years

Syracuse Fires Coach in Wake of Molestation Claims

Boy Scouts Refused to Report Serial Rapist

Victim Gets Molester to Confess ... on YouTube

Mom: My Boy Was Molested by Kindergarten Classmates


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne