Herndon's 2017 Halloween Sex Offender Safety Map​

HERNDON, VA — Before kids go out trick or treating on Halloween, fall is a good time to take an inventory of who is living in your neighborhood. There are 27 sex offenders listed in the state registry who live in Herndon, and we've created a map to show you where they are.

You can do your own more detailed research through Virginia's online registry.

Remember: using this information to harass, discriminate against, or harm these individuals is against the law.

Pins on the map represent addresses of offenders convicted of sex crimes. Roll your cursor over the pins, and you will see more information pop up, including the registered sex offender’s name, address, current age, and the nature of the offense.

Advocates of lax sex offender laws say that a number of studies have shown that most children who are sexually abused know their abuser. These abusers are often a family member or close acquaintance. A Bureau of Justice Statistics report showed that only 7 percent of those who sexually abused juveniles were strangers to their victims.

According to national safety statistics, a higher risk for children on the holiday is being hit by a car: Double the number of children are hit by cars on Halloween compared to other days of the year. Wearing a flammable costume too close to a fire is also a top safety issue that police and hospitals see. Wearing reflective gear and reminding children to be aware of their surroundings during their pillaging can be helpful, say experts.

The above map is meant as a tool to help you be aware of who’s living in your neighborhood during Halloween or the rest of the year.

Image: Patch staff