By Brian McBride
Associate Editor

With the fictitious ghosts and goblins ready to come out Sunday, local law enforcement officials want to prevent any real threat by monitoring registered sexual offenders who must comply with certain Halloween restrictions to avoid unsupervised contact with minors.

Beginning today, the Kissimmee Police Department will be making contact with sexual offenders and predators in the area to remind them of the court-ordered restrictions they must follow.

And on Halloween, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office will be working with county probation officers to conduct spot checks on sex offender and predators who live in our community.

“The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office works diligently to monitor the offenders/predators in our community and conduct address verification checks,” Osceola Sheriff Bob Hansell said.

Laws registered sex offenders must follow if mandated by their probation, community control or conditional release include: Don’t give out candy or other treats; turn off the porch light and close the blinds; have no outside decorations to attract children; do not answer the door to trick-or-treaters; do not dress in a costume or wear a mask; and do not attend Halloween parties where children are present.

“As with any court orders, if they are violated, the offender could be re-arrested,” Kissimmee Police Department spokeswoman Stacie Miller said.

There are approximately 171 offenders/predators living in the area, with 98 on probation status in the unincorporated area of Osceola County, Sheriff’s Office officials said. The Osceola Sheriff’s Office will monitor sex offender/predators and assist probation officers when needed. The city of St. Cloud has about 32 offenders in its jurisdiction, and Kissimmee has 60 offenders and four predators in city limits.

“Parents should always be aware of where their children are and what they are doing,” Hansell said.

Parents can check the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s website (www.fdle.state.fl.us) for the list of offenders/predators in their neighborhood. Click on the sexual offender/predator data base link.

They also can use the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office link (www.osceolasheriff.org) to search for offenders in the area they plan on being in. Residents can access the Sheriff’s Office sex offender information/tip line by calling 321-697-4373.

“Do not approach suspicious individuals or houses,” Hansell said.

Residents can get a sex offender/predator guide by the Sheriff’s Office by calling 407-348-1105.

The Kissimmee Police Department encourages residents to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

“Kissimmee police officers will respond to any call for service,” Miller said.

While authorities plan to be vigilant this Halloween, a study conducted by a Lynn University professor in Boca Raton last year found sex crimes against children didn’t increase during Halloween, according to published reports.

“Sexual molesters sometimes use seemingly innocent opportunities to engage children for sexual abuse and therefore might be expected to use trick-or-treat for ulterior purposes,” the study stated. “However, this logic does not appear to translate into an increase in sex offenses around Halloween.”