As Halloween nears, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is reminding residents about the state’s strict safety measures designed to protect children during trick-or-treating.
Missouri law establishes specific restrictions for registered sex offenders on October 31. These regulations are intended to ensure the safety of children and maintain community peace. Under state law, offenders must adhere to the following requirements:
No contact with children during Halloween-related activities. Offenders are prohibited from hosting, participating in, or attending any event involving minors.
Turn off all outdoor lights and decorations by 5 p.m. Exterior lighting must remain off throughout the evening.
Remain indoors between 5 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Offenders must stay inside their residence unless leaving for work, a medical emergency, or another urgent need.
Missouri statute RSMo § 589.426.1 previously required offenders to display a sign stating, “No candy or treats at this residence.” A Missouri court has since removed this rule, but the Attorney General’s Office has appealed the decision to the Eighth Circuit, seeking to restore the sign requirement as part of ongoing efforts to enhance public safety.
“Missouri families deserve peace of mind on Halloween,” Hanaway said. “While our Office continues the legal fight to restore the sign requirement, we will continue upholding every other restriction in place to keep children safe and support law enforcement officials as we hold sex offenders accountable.”
Residents who observe…
How is this good news? Being forced to stay home is not good news. The silly sign issue is minutia compared to the elephant in the room. I for one am not impressed.
Thank you for this and everything else! Chip, chip, chip!
Sorry, but you cannot incarcerate, kidnap, or restrict me in or to my own home by order or law if I am not on paper. I may be able to commit commerce as I see fit due to the freedom we have in this country as well as travel to any place I’d like to visit or commit commerce.
At the same time, you cannot do the same if I chose to go into my yard regardless of which side of the residence it is if I am off paper. My freedom to enjoy my residence is mine and on private property to which you cannot enter without a warrant since it could be behind a secure entrance.
Should you chose to violate me in enforcing these unenforceable laws, you will be subject to a civil lawsuit at the state and local levels in federal court with a monetary destination of well above 7 figures.
Hugs and Kisses…and Happy Halloween Madam AG!
” Missouri families deserve peace of mind on Halloween.” Excuse me Misery AG Missouri families including those forced to register deserve peace of mind on Halloween and all other days. Besides citizens forced to register are not the biggest threats to children on Halloween or any other day and what good is a sign once it’s dark outside. I guess a full moon is brighter than all of those working in Jefferson City.
Can’t leave home unless it’s for work, medical emergency, or urgent need sounds and looks like punishment in my eyes. Halloween AG( Attention Grifter) needs to be sued for forcing people to register to stay home while claiming it’s for public safety.