Crime

Registry changes bring Halloween safety into focus

ESCANABA -- With the recent removal of more than 20,000 offenders from the Michigan Sex Offender Registry, parents might want to rethink how their children trick-or-treat this year.

On Sept. 9, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the 2021 Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) amendments cannot be used to retroactively extend the registration requirements of anyone who committed their relevant crime prior to July 1, 2011, because doing so would reportedly be unconstitutional.

At the time of the order, approximately 43,000 offenders were actively registered or required to be registered. Now, more than 20,000 offenders have been removed -- and numbers could change as the process continues.

Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police (MSP), said “The MSP did not make this change to the law. However, the department maintains the database, is required to comply with the Court's order and is taking the necessary steps to implement the ruling. Any concerns about or efforts to change the law should be directed to the state Legislature."

As Halloween approaches, the recent order has raised concerns among families across the state. However, parents can take steps to help keep their children safe while trick-or-treating, including familiarizing themselves with Halloween-related rules for offenders -- or the lack thereof -- and safety guidelines.

While some Michiganders may be under the impression that sex offenders have Halloween-related restrictions, Michigan's SORA has no statewide Halloween restriction. In fact, the act does not mention Halloween at all.

Additionally, the 1,000-foot "student safety zone" restriction barring registrants from living, working or loitering near schools in Michigan was repealed in 2021 after a federal court found the restrictions unconstitutional.

It is important to note that individual probation or parole conditions can differ, but the state registry law does not specifically bar sex offenders from handing out Halloween candy, decorating their homes in ways that may be enticing to children or keeping their porch lights on during trick-or-treat hours.

The same cannot be said for other states in the country. Wisconsin, for example, actively conducts random home visits on high-risk sex offenders during trick-or-treat hours.

Wisconsin residents on the sex offender registry who are on probation or parole must keep their porch lights off during trick-or-treating and are also prohibited from having Halloween decorations inside or outside of their homes, distributing candy or participating in other trick-or-treating activities.

Sex offenders in violation of the restrictions in Wisconsin will be placed into custody, according to the Department of Corrections (DOC).

Grace Knutson, the DOC's director of Sex Offender Programs, recommends trick-or-treaters wear brightly colored clothing and adding glow sticks or flashlights to improve visibility Halloween night.

The National Safety Council has further provided the following safety tips for children on Halloween:

-- A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds.

-- If older children are trick-or-treating alone, plan and review an acceptable route.

-- Agree on a specific time children should return home.

-- Teach children to never enter the homes of people or cars without their parents' permission.

-- Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends.

-- Tell children not to eat any treats until they return home and take care to avoid any food allergies.

Other states recommend members of the public check their official sex offender registry map before trick-or-treating. Michigan residents can search for registered offenders in their area by entering their location information into the Michigan Sex Offender Registry at mspsor.com.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.