Sex Offender Sweep Nets 2 Arrests: Howard County Police

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Before Halloween, officials with the Howard County Police Department reported they conducted a check of the 104 sex offenders who live in the county. All were accounted for, and 102 were in compliance with the requirements set forth in the sex offender registry.

"The goal of the sweep was to identify anyone in violation of the registry’s reporting requirements and to remind registered offenders that they are discouraged from participating in trick-or-treating," police said in a statement.

Two people were arrested for violations, according to police.

To find registered sex offenders in the area, use the Maryland Sex Offender Registry. People can search for sex offenders by distance from an address, county or zip code. There are also options to search by a person's name and to sort by school, to see if offenders are employed by or enrolled in any institutions.

SEE ALSO: Columbia 2018 Halloween Sex Offender Safety Map

Registered sex offenders are prohibited from entering property used for public or nonpublic elementary or secondary education as well as that of registered child care providers. Violations are considered misdemeanor crimes and are punishable by up to 5 years in jail and/or up to a $5,000 fine.

There are no laws in Maryland regulating where sex offenders may live.

"Information put out by other states has shown that residency restrictions do not help to prevent sexual offenses from occurring because the victims and the offenders, in most situations, know each other. Having ready access to victims, in private and secretive environments, is how sex offenders thrive," Maryland corrections officials report.

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