Check Sex Offender Registry This Halloween, Kendall Sheriff Says

KENDALL COUNTY, IL — The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office said it will increase patrols throughout Kendall County on Halloween with community policing and auxiliary deputies, and is asking parents to check the state sex offender registry before sending kids trick-or-treating on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Sex offender maps for Kendall County towns are also posted on Patch.

"As part of providing a safe environment, we want the public to be educated about the communities they will be in," the sheriff's office said in a news release. "The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office currently has 33 registered sex offenders. We want you to know where they reside so you can avoid those houses when trick-or-treating. Please visit our website at www.co.kendall.il.us/sheriff to see who the registered offenders are. You can select the 'Sex Offender Search' tab on Sheriff’s Office website to see where sex offenders live. The mapping and address feature found on the website pinpoint exactly where an offender lives."

Kendall County residents can also check the sex offender maps posted by Patch. The maps were compiled using the Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry. Find the maps here:

• Yorkville 2018 Halloween Sex Offender Safety Map
• Oswego 2018 Halloween Sex Offender Safety Map
• Montgomery 2018 Halloween Sex Offender Safety Map
• Why Patch Publishes Sex Offender Registry Maps

Registered sex offenders are prohibited from passing out candy on Halloween. They may not appear in a Halloween costume or other child-centered holiday character, such as Santa and the Easter Bunny, in public. Registered sex offenders, however, may wear a Halloween costume in their home, according to the Illinois Sex Offender Registry.

"With these resources available and the Sheriff’s Office being diligent in checking on where registered sex offenders reside, parents can feel confident in keeping their children safe this Halloween," Sheriff Dwight Baird said.

Auxiliary deputies will also be out in force to interact with the citizens and help provide a safe environment for Halloween activities, the sheriff's office said.

Don't know what time trick-or-treating is this year?

• What Are Trick-Or-Treating Hours In Yorkville: Halloween 2018
• What Are Trick-Or-Treating Hours In Oswego: Halloween 2018
• What Are Trick-Or-Treating Hours In Montgomery: Halloween 2018

Photo via Ashley Ludwig, Patch Staff