Newtown Sex Offenders: Houses To Avoid This Halloween

NEWTOWN, CT — According to the State of Connecticut’s Department of Emergency Services and Protection (DESP), there are approximately 455,000 registered sex offenders in the United States. Over 80 percent of convicted adult rapists report that they have molested children.The DESP states that 80-95 percent of these crimes are against someone the offender knows.

Sex offenders come from all backgrounds, ages, income levels, and professions. They usually do not commit their crimes impulsively, rather their crime is very carefully planned out.

• Are you living near a sex offender? Click here to input your home address and find out.

In addition to the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry, the United States Department of Justice maintains the National Sex Offender Public Registry website which gives information on sex offenders currently registered in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

Kids are particularly vulnerable to sex offenders and parents should warn their children about safety not only this Halloween, but year-round, in simple terms they can understand. The state’s website suggests avoiding telling any scary details about the incident, but to tell your child this person has hurt someone before and they should stay away from them.

Click here for more safety tips.

Consider a safe Halloween alternative this year instead of trick-or-treating from house to house. Check your local Patch calendar for ideas.

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Photo credit: Phae via Flickr Creative Commons