Halloween night LCSO staff checked area registered sex offenders and found a few violations of the "Halloween law" specifically 589.426 RSMO.

1. Any person required to register as a sexual offender under sections 589.400 to 589.425 shall be required on October thirty-first of each year to:

 (1)  Avoid all Halloween-related contact with children;

 (2)  Remain inside his or her residence between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. unless required to be elsewhere for just cause, including but not limited to employment or medical emergencies;

 (3)  Post a sign at his or her residence stating, "No candy or treats at this residence"; and

 (4)  Leave all outside residential lighting off during the evening hours after 5 p.m.

2. Any person required to register as a sexual offender under sections 589.400 to 589.425 who violates the provisions of subsection 1 of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

Typically the LCSO works on educating those with very minor violations such as forgetting to put their sign up, but has the light off and not answering the door for children and not associating with other Halloween activities.  Any offender that would be serving candy or having contact with children on Halloween would be immediately cited but we have not found that issue here.

This year we found a few registered sex offenders who were in violation of 589.426 RSMO and had been warned as recent as last year of the Halloween law requirements.  Reports will be completed and information submitted to the prosecuting attorney on those repeat violators for his consideration.

Our goal is to make certain the law is followed and our children and families have a fun but safe experience each year.

Sheriff Steve Cox