ST. LOUIS — This Halloween, Missouri sex offenders won’t have to put a sign on their front door turning people away after a court decision earlier this month.
Since August of 2008, registered sex offenders had to put signs on their doors on Halloween saying “No candy or treats at this residence.”
Attorney Janice Bellucci represented a Hazelwood man challenging the law.
“All the laws have one thing in common, which is they’re based on a myth or misunderstanding that people on the registry actually pose a danger to children while they’re trick or treating. The fact is no child has ever been sexually abused by a registrant while that child was trick or treating, not even once,” Bellucci said.
Earlier this month, U.S. District Court Judge John Ross declared the signs unconstitutional.
Bellucci said they’ve seen in other states how those signs actually made people on the registry a target on Halloween.
“We have had instances where people have tried to light a house on fire, shot a gun into somebody’s house. I mean, those are the kinds of things that people on the registry are really concerned about,” Bellucci said.
Safe Connections CEO Cynthia Danley said she understands both sides of this issue.
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From the article: Safe Connections CEO Cynthia Danley said she understands both sides of this issue.“ I do think the signs helped, because it took it off of that parent or that adult or whoever was with the children during, the trick or treating,” Danley said.
Both sides of what issue? There is no issue. The signs helped who do what? Nothing meaningful. This person is clueless.
All that aside, another brilliant outcome for Janice! Thank you Janice for standing up and speaking up on our behalf.
Thank you Janice, as a mom of a PFR, we had to get a home security system installed because of the vandalism to our property on Halloween. The fear of my family’s safety due to the public registry is real.
Janice has helped so many people and impacted so many lives in a positive way.
We are all so grateful for everything she has done to make our lives better.
I remember not to long ago me and my family could not even go to the public park together but Janice took care of that and today some of our basic rights have been restored because of Janice. My Family is eternally grateful for ever victory she achieves for us.
Janice is always in our prayers and someday hopefully I will be off this nasty registry and work with her side by Side to make a difference for all of us.
Thank you Janice!!!! We Love You
It is nice to see Janice fighting in other states as well as California.
I’m sending another $1,000.00 to ACSOL (From Wisconsin) to help the cause. I hope others in non California states do likewise. Every win helps. There are not many fighting on our behalf.
I continue to be so thankful to Janice and all those at ACSOL. With them fighting with us, things are so much better than they used to be. Not too long ago, we had sign requirements as well as “lock down” in Simi Valley every Halloween. Just sent $1,000 to help the cause. Give what you can.