The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is performing sex offender checks before and during Halloween to ensure community safety.
Flagler County currently has 137 registered sex offenders and six predators living within its boundaries. This count includes anyone with a Flagler County address or those incarcerated in the county. Of these individuals, 28 sex offenders and probationers face special conditions that restrict their participation in Halloween activities.
The 28 offenders and probationers are prohibited from handing out candy, displaying Halloween decorations, or leaving their porch lights on during Halloween night. They must also return home by 4:30 p.m. on Halloween and remain there for the rest of the evening.
The Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Unit is working with the Florida Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Services to conduct in-person address checks. These visits verify that the addresses provided to FDOC upon release from prison are accurate. FDOC probation officers accompany FCSO detectives during the visits, which include a walk-through of the residence and a reminder of the specific Halloween restrictions.
“As families prepare for Halloween, the safety of our community, especially our children, remains a top priority,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “Our deputies are conducting these safety checks to ensure these offenders and probationers do not prey on trick or treaters. Rest assured, we will take anyone not in compliance to jail.”
In addition to monitoring the 28 offenders with special Halloween conditions, the Sex Offender Unit and Major Case Unit detectives have been visiting all Flagler County sex offender addresses throughout October to ensure compliance with Florida law.
The Sheriff’s Office has released a list of registered sex offenders and probationers who must comply with these restrictions, including their photos, names, and addresses. FCSO urges residents to avoid visiting these residences during Halloween.
Sheriff Staly encourages residents to visit the Florida Sex Offender/Predator Database before Halloween to check for any sex offenders or predators living nearby or in areas they plan to visit on Halloween night.
