“No Candy” signs throughout St. Johns County
Operation “No Treats” was launched Wednesday which prohibits sex offenders of St. Johns County from handing out candy, wearing any kind of costume or attire that will be entertaining or enticing to little kids, and they must put up signs on their doors that say “NO CANDY HERE” unless they are not home. Violators will face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 dollar fine. Each and every sex offender has been personalized by sheriff deputies warning them of their rescriction of participating in any children’s Halloween activities. Each sex offender was also equipped with their own ‘No Candy Here’ sign to ensure they are able to fully follow these regulations.
Kevin Kelshaw, sheriff’s spokesman said the deputies will be monitoring the sex offenders on Halloween. “Our officers have touched base with all our registered sex offenders this week and made it clear what is expected of them,” he said.
There are surprising numbers of sex offenders throughout Florida according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement:
- St. Johns County: 178
- Duval County: 1,667
- Clay County: 315
- Nassau: 129
With Halloween right around the corner, now is the perfect opportunity to check out where registered sex offenders live in YOUR area and places you plan on visiting if you haven’t already. “It is best that parents look at the Offenders Watch Web site to know where the [sex offenders'] homes are in their neighborhood,” said Jacksonville Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Melissa Bujeda. It is super important to let you older kids know about this as well, to show them the site and if they are going alone to stay in a big group and to never separate and go off alone.
Remember that Halloween can be a time of scary fun, but don’t let the horror become a reality.
References
1. The Florida Times Union, Thursday October 29, 2009
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