Halloween Safety & Sex Offender Guidelines

 Safe Trick or Treat Sex Offender Guidelines 

The release of this information is intended to educate & protect the public and is not to be used to injure, harass, or commit a criminal act against any individual or their family.

Registered Sex Offenders who are part of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Active Community Supervision Program are prohibited by law from participating in any Halloween activities.

Each year the Department of Corrections establishes Halloween-specific restrictions for registered sex offenders to protect the public. These restrictions include (but are not limited to):

• Having any Halloween decorations, either inside or outside of the residence
• Handing out candy or participating in any Halloween activities
• Wearing a Halloween costume
• Turning on the porch light during Trick or Treating Hours

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections & local Police Officers participate in random home visits to registered sex offenders still on Active Community Supervision during Trick or Treat Hours. It is expected that the offender is at home during Trick or Treat times. They are required to answer the door for the police department. If an offender on Active Supervision is not home or has decorations that could attract children, the offender could be arrested.

Common-Sense Tips for Safe Trick or Treating

• Children should always be accompanied by a parent or trusted adult.
• Stay on streets that are well lit and stick to neighborhoods you are familiar with.
• Only stop at homes that have a lit porch light.
• NEVER enter a home or a car for a treat.
• Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
• Call 911 if you see any suspicious or unlawful activity.
• Teach your child to yell "NO" & try to escape if a stranger tries to take them somewhere.
• Have a responsible adult check all candy at the end of the evening prior to consuming.

Review your neighborhood & the active registered Sex Offenders on the Family Watchdog website. This site allows you to enter a specific zip code or street address and will show any registered Sex Offenders in the area specified.

Before Trick or Treat, it's encouraged that parents sit down with their children to discuss these tips & develop a strategy if you become separated from one another.

Members of the public can contact the Sex Offender Registry Program at 877-234-0085 with questions or to report potential violations of Halloween restrictions.

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