Sheriff: Halloween Safety Tips

Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office
PRESS RELEASE
Sheriff Dennis D. Kelly
528 Edgefield Street, Greenwood, SC 29646 / (864) 942-8600 / Fax (864) 8589

News Release – For Immediate Release
Greenwood County – Halloween – SC Sex Offenders on Probation/Parole will
have Halloween Curfew

The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens to be aware of the location of sex offenders during the Halloween holiday.

Greenwood County Sheriff Dennis Kelly said there are 177 registered sex offenders who live in Greenwood County and that citizens should check the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Registry Website Page at greenwood.scor.sled.sc.gov to make sure they are aware of where offenders reside.

“We make every effort to ensure sex offenders live and work where they tell us,” Kelly said. “We regularly check on offenders to make sure they are following the rules and guidelines of the registry”. It’s important for our area residents to visit our website to see who the registered offenders are and where they live and work.”

Our website is in conjunction with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division allows you the ability to sign up for free automatic email notifications if an offender moves within a specified radius of any requested address.

“If you plan on trick-or-treating at another family member’s house or a friend’s house, register or search that address beforehand so an offender’s home can be avoided,”
Kelly said. The public can also use the website for addresses where children spend time, such as with relatives, babysitters, and friends.”

Also the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS) is requiring many sex offenders to stay inside their own homes during prime trick-or-treating hours on Halloween night.

The State newspaper of Columbia reports that the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services will again have a curfew for offenders under its supervision for a sex offense.
The Halloween rules for sex offenders are as follows:

 Curfew: 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. statewide on Halloween day Thursday, Oct. 31.
 This applies to all persons under supervision for a sex offense. (Note: This does not apply to all registered sex offenders, many of whom are no longer on probation or parole and therefore not under the jurisdiction of SCDPPPS.)
 Curfew will be enforced through agent surveillance techniques in all 46 counties in the state. Some counties will require offenders to go to a central location.
 Sex offenders have been notified there will be no lights on outside their houses; no candy distribution; no participating in Halloween parties or carnivals. They must stay in their homes and can’t go into the street.
 Don’t be overly alarmed. It is perfectly OK to allow your child to trick-or-treat under supervision. The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office simply wishes to provide everyone with the ability and information to ensure your loved ones safety.

Sgt. Jeff Graham is the Sex Offender Registry Coordinator for Greenwood County and is assisted by Co-Coordinator Della Sherard from the Support Services Division. Citizens with questions can contact Sgt. Graham at 864-942-8035 or via email at jgraham@greenwoodsc.gov.