Before You Go Trick Or Treating, Be Sure To Download This App

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL -- Whether your children are old enough to trick or treat on their own or you plan to accompany them, you might want to download this app before knocking on neighborhood doors.

The new FDLE Mobile App allows you to check on the addresses of registered sex predators and offenders in your neighborhood to ensure your children's safety. The “Search Sexual Offenders and Predators” button is one of seven FDLE public services featured in the new app.

“I can’t think of a better time to launch this app,” said FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen. “I hope all parents will download this before going trick or treating and then use it often to help keep their families safe or to report suspicious activity.”

The app also allows you to search active AMBER, Missing Child and Silver Alerts, search wanted persons or stolen vehicle information, search unsolved cases in Florida and submit a tip about suspicious activity

All convicted sex offenders and predators are required by law to register their permanent addresses with local law enforcement agencies.

Although registered sex predators are not permitted to put on their porch lights, put up Halloween decorations and pass out candy on Halloween, law enforcement officials say you can never be too careful.

The Tampa Bay area has thousands of registered sexual predators, and not all of them obey the rules.

“Us as parents and law enforcement, we need to make sure it’s not only the most fun night, it’s the safest night,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Know who the sexual predators are that live in your neighborhood. Go online and know where these individuals live. It’s not a secret."

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement keeps a database of sexual offenders and predators throughout Florida. Parents can use that to check trick-or-treat routes, or download the new app so you can check the addresses as you usher your kids around the neighborhood.

For instance, there are more than 60 registered sex predators and offenders living within one mile of the 1100 block of 15th Avenue South in St. Petersburg. There are 24 registered sex predators living within a mile of the 5500 block of North Suwanee Avenue in Seminole Heights, Tampa. And 33 registered sex predators live within a mile of 9100 block of Derby Lane in Port Richey.

“With your location services turned on, you can see exactly where the registered sexual offenders and predators are around you with your phone,” FDLE Tampa Bay Region Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell said.

The FDLE app is available for download free of charge in the Google Play store and the Apple App Store. Search for “FDLE Mobile App” in the Google Play Store or for “FDLE” in the Apple App Store.

To use the interactive map to display the registered residential addresses of sexual offenders and predators, location services on the mobile phone must be turned on. However, all other sections of the app are still usable even if location services are not turned on. The FDLE mobile app does not track your location or store your personal information. It should never be used as an emergency app because it is not monitored 24/7.

The app, which was developed in-house by the FDLE, allows you to zoom in, move around your neighborhood and click on markers to check information on registered sex predators.

Images via FDLE

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