[StBernard] Deputies alert trick-or-treaters about which houses to avoid

[Westley Annis]

Deputies alert trick-or-treaters about which houses to avoid

Updated: Oct 24, 2012 6:22 PM CDT
 

St. Bernard Sheriff's Detective Lt. Richard Mendel places a flier on the
door of a registered sex offender in October 2011 to remind them they are
prohibited by law from giving out candy or gifts to minors on Halloween.
STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

Chalmette, La. - St. Bernard Parish deputies will soon begin hanging fliers
on the homes of all convicted, registered sex offenders in the parish.

The fliers say no candy can be given away from that home.  The signs will
start going up on Sunday, October 28th.

Under state law, convicted sex offenders cannot hand out candy or other
gifts to persons under the age of 18 at Halloween, Mardi Gras, Easter,
Christmas or any other holiday for which candy is given out to minors.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said, "we will also have deputies out the night of
Halloween making compliance checks to ensure minors aren't at the doors of
sex offenders and being given candy. If the person who is a registered sex
offender is seen mingling with children at their door they will be
arrested."

"This is something we take seriously,'' the sheriff said. "The law is there
to protect minors from coming in contact with a registered sex offender at
their home, in the guise of them giving them something."

Pohlmann says violators could face up to three years in prison.

About 70 registered sex offenders currently live in St. Bernard Parish.

Click here to go to the Louisiana State Police website which has information
on that lets the public know where sex offenders live and gives information
on their convictions.
http://www.lsp.org/index.html