How to avoid sex offenders on Halloween

The Halloween countdown has begun, and in just a few days thousands of little ghouls and goblins will descend upon Fox Valley neighborhoods in search of sweet treats and surprises.

But before the masks get put on and the jack o'lanterns are lit, Kane County Sheriff Pat Perez wants to make sure parents have prepared for the day, especially identifying which houses to avoid.

More than 400 registered sex offenders live in Kane County, and Halloween is a perfect time for them to grow acquainted with local children, Perez warned. A Web site dedicated to tracking local sex offenders is an excellent resource for parents to use prior to Halloween, he said.

The Web sites, www.kanesheriff.com and www.isp.state.il.us, will help parents identify key addresses to avoid, whether they're trick-or-treating in their own neighborhood or in another.

"If you aren't planning on trick-or-treating in your neighborhood but will be in a family or friend's neighborhood, register their address beforehand so you know which houses to avoid. You can register any and all of the addresses where your children spend a lot of time," Perez said.

The Web site will automatically alert parents who sign up via e-mail when a new offender moves into the neighborhood and is an important tool to use not only on Halloween but throughout the year, Perez said.

Parents should search for registered offenders located within a quarter-mile to 2-mile radius of a particular address, the sheriff's office said.