Medford, Ore. — As Halloween approaches,families are deciding where they want to trick or treat, and police want parents to know about a new tool that could help them avoid sexual predators.
It’s a website run by Oregon State Police. It shows the public wherepredatory sex offenders live across the state, giving parents the knowledge of which houses to avoid.
In Medford alone there 700 registered sex offenders, 50 of those are predatory sex offenders.
“Which basically means they have been deemed a higher risk to re-offend when they were released from their parole,” said Medford Police Lt. Mike Budreau.
Parent Amanda Sands, who was doing some last minute Halloween shopping on Thursday, did not know of the website but says that is something she would use.
“Since I’m going to be taking them trick or treating in a neighborhood, I should be doing research like that,” said Sands.
Website & Smartphone Apps:
The predatory sexual offender website only lists those in Oregon. But an app for iPhones & Androids, called “Sex Offender Tracker App,” uses the same database and tracks predatory sex offenders nationwide.
Other Halloween Safety Tips:
Lt. Budreau says their top concern is kids on the roadway. While it’s best to stay on the sidewalk and only cross at designated cross walks Budreau suggests making sure costumes are bright and colorful. If they are dark, put something such as reflective tape on them. Carry an flashlight or glow stick.
He also says know where your teenagers are. Budreau says, they typically see more cases of teenagers getting into trouble (drinking, vandalizing, etc) on Halloween.
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