CA - S.B. COUNTY: Halloween restrictions for sex offenders proposed

Original Article

In the entire history of this country, only one crime occurred on Halloween where a child was sexually assaulted by an UNKNOWN sex offender. It is also important to note that the parents were not with the child when it occurred. So if you are so freaked out on Halloween, why don't you be a parent and either go along with your child, or not celebrate the occasion in the first place!

05/22/2012

By IMRAN GHORI

San Bernardino County is considering prohibiting registered sex offenders from participating in Halloween activities, joining several other jurisdictions, including Riverside, that have approved similar measures.

The Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 on Tuesday, May 22, to have county counsel research the proposal and return with a proposed ordinance at a future meeting. Supervisor Janice Rutherford was absent.

Measures restricting what registered sex offenders can do on Halloween have become popular in recent years with Riverside County, Temecula, Hemet and Ontario passing ordinances.
- Just because something is popular doesn't mean it's right!

They include prohibitions against sex offenders passing out candy, decorating for the holiday, or turning on outdoor lights.

Supervisor Gary Ovitt, who proposed the idea, said he would like to see San Bernardino County consider similar measures.

“We want to make sure we’re proactive in making sure our children don’t go to the wrong door step,” Ovitt said.
- Once again Big Brother trying to step in and run your life for you.  Why don't we tell parents to be parents?

His proposal would also bar registered sdx offenders from taking part in Halloween activities outside their homes and from opening their doors to anyone but law enforcement on Halloween night.
- And this is probably for those who are on probation and/or parole only, not all ex-sex offenders.  And there is no law saying you must answer the door on any given day, so just because a police officer comes to your home, doesn't mean you have to answer it.

The county proposal would apply only to unincorporated areas.

Advocacy groups such as California Reform Sex Offender Laws have argued that such ordinances are unconstitutional while researchers say they have found Halloween no riskier than any other autumn day when it comes to sex crimes against children.

A 2009 study by a group of University of Oklahoma professors examined nine years of crime data in 30 states and found no increase in sex crimes on or around Halloween.