Halloween Restrictions Placed On Sex Offenders in Riverside County
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved a new ordinance that prohibits sex offenders from giving out candy to trick-or-treaters.
Supervisor Jeff Stone introduced the measure in order to support the ERACE Program (Eliminate Registrant Attendance at County Entities), which restricts the activities of registered sex offenders on Halloween.
The county approved Ordinance No. 902.1 on Tuesday. The order will also ban registered sex offenders from putting up Halloween decorations on their homes between 12 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on October 31 every year. Sex offenders will also not be allowed to leave any outside lights on from 5 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
In a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that this ordinance was an urgency measure under the new “time, place and manner” provisions, which would take place immediately upon its adoption.
The Board of Supervisors felt the measure was needed for the immediate protection of the public peace, health, or safety.
Supervisor Stone outlined seven reasons why Halloween safety is an urgent matter. (1) There are 3,491registered sex offenders living in Riverside County, according to the L.A. Times; (2) Halloween is a popular holiday celebrated by children and their families who visit strangers in turn for candy; (3) sex offenders are a threat to children trick-or-treating because children will interact with an unusual amount of strangers in part of their door-to-door activity; (4) children are often not supervised; (5) Halloween can put children in the vicinity of child sex offenders; (6) existing regulations within Riverside are not enough to display the activities of sex offenders on Halloween; (7) immediate action is necessary in order to stop any future harm to children or victims.
Sex offenders that break this regulation will be fined up to $1000 or sentenced to up to six months in jail.
“This is another way in which to prevent youngsters in our community from coming into contact with registrants," said Supervisor Jeff Stone. "Our responsibility is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our citizens…One molestation is too many in this country.”
