Daphne Gabb says parents are children's first line of defense when it comes to trick-or-treating safety on Halloween. As PTA Council president for Frederick County, Gabb takes community relationships seriously and she said families should know the people on the other side of the door when children start knocking on Monday.
Maryland's online registry currently lists more than 100 registered sex offenders in the county.
"You need to be aware of who is around you and you need to know who your kids are around," Gabb said.
She has never seen one, but Gabb says it's important for parents to be mindful of signs posted on sex offenders' doors, warning them not to ask for candy on Halloween.
"I think it's a good idea for people to know who's been convicted for sexual offenses," Gabb said.
Each year an initiative put in place by the state Division of Parole and Probation asks sex offenders to post a sign reading "No Candy" on their doors to inform parents and trick-or-treaters
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14 comments:
I think there are twice as many sex offenders in Wicomico with half the population.
WHAT A JOKE...I have NEVER heard of a Sex Offense occuring on Halloween Night and at the same time Millions are being spent on this feel good action in different ways to make the public feel good when at the same time drunk drivers injure and kill many on halloween night and not ONE action is being done to protect the publi from these monsters who drink and kill on halloween night...then we hear of how many little ones are bullied and candy takened from them on halloween night from Older kids and not one thing is done to protect them from these thieves...WAKE UP PUBLIC before it is too late...stop falling for these feel good laws that are have ZERO effect on crime and demand better sentencing at court time for ALL CRIMES...
What is funny is to go to someone's house and put a No Candy sign on their door and all their neighbors now think that they are a sex offender....
The real sad part of this story is that it is not the Offenders that we know about that we need to worry about and spend millions on with a false sense of security of a sex offenders list that is under used by the public. But it is the ONE'S we do not know about that we need to worry about and while we spend millions to watch the ones caught that studies have proven that they VERY rarely re-offend. WE need to worry about those on the loose and we do not know about and while we protect our kids from those on the list..THOUSANDS not on list are abusing our kids and not a dollar is being spent to teach our kids to watch out for this type of abuse...and sad part is that many are teachers // law enforcement and others in positions to protect our kids from these types of crimes. SO wake up and smell the coffee and not let those ones in charge in ANNAPOLIS keep passing these VERY expensive laws to make you the public have a false sense of security for them to get your vote when at the same time these criminals go to court everyday and get slaps on the wrist..WHAT are these ones in ANNAPOLIS doing about that?? NOTHING except passing more feel good laws that is costing the STATE millions while at the same time , doing nothing to stop the crime , BUT hey it makes u feel safe and you VOTE for the people over and over and now these same ones want to raise YOUR taxes to the max....GOOD LUCK ..
Sounds like fun! What was your address?
Maybe there should also be "signs" around that say "beware of 13-14 year old girls who dress like 25 year olds and accuse young men of inappropriate behavior, thus putting them on the "sex registry" and ruining their lives." Happens every day.
Yea! Right and do you believe these freaks are really gonna do that???
I am more ticked off that there are that many sex offenders allowed to live among us than I am about any of the other stuff.
<<11:28 AMEN to that>> ....AND people do not know that in fact that ONLY those on Parole & Probation is required to do that ..so what good does it really do when u have thousands off of P/P and does not have to put up sign in yard...ANOTHER feel good rule to catch a vote from those who they will raise TAXES on once in office..
Oh by the way there ARE more offenders in Wicomico....
Mack 10:54 AM said, "But it is the ONE'S we do not know about that we need to worry about and while we spend millions to watch the ones caught that studies have proven that they VERY rarely re-offend."
Mack I think you need to re-study your info about sex offenders very rarely re-offend.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sex Offenders
This page was developed after many inquires were made of our employees about sex offenders in our community. We hope that this will answer most of your questions, address your concerns, better educate you about these offenders, and provide some prevention tips.
Sheriff Timothy A. Swanson
List of Questions
You may scroll down this page for every question and corresponding answer or click on a specific question
Why is the offender living in my neighborhood?
When is the Sheriff's Office going to move the offender from my neighborhood?
How often do sex offenders really re-offend?
What are the different types of sex offenders?
Are you going to tell us if the offender moves out of this neighborhood, so we do not have to worry anymore?
Why are we not told about all sex offenders?
What do I tell my children about this offender?
Now that I know a sex offender lives in my neighborhood, what should I do differently to protect my family and myself?
Why does it matter if I give the offender a hard time?
Can I post additional copies of the neighborhood notification?
Knowing My 8 Rules For Safety (for children)
Back to Sexual Offender Main Page
Q: Why is the offender living in my neighborhood?
A: The Sheriff's Office cannot place any restrictions on where an offender lives in any community. While you may not be happy about an offender living in your area it is important to realize that at least you are aware of this offender. There are countless numbers of individuals who have not been caught and continue to offend in your community. The best defense you can have is being educated in how to protect yourself and your family members from being victimized by anyone.
Go to list of questions
Q: When is the Sheriff's Office going to move the offender from my neighborhood?
A: The Sheriff's Office lacks any authority in forcing an offender to move from one location to another. The Sheriff's Office is granted the authority to give community notification about specific offenders considered moderate or high risk to the community. The Sheriff's Office also checks to see that all sex offenders are living where they are registered. We also actively seek out those offenders who fail to register or fail to make proper notification of an address change.
Go to list of questions
Q: How often do sex offenders really re-offend?
A: Studies indicate that approximately 5 % of treated sex offenders re-offend in a sexual way. Untreated sex offenders re-offend approximately 7% in a sexual way. Approximately 8% re-offend in a non-sexual, non-violent way and 3% re-offend in a non-sexual, violent way, and approximately 77% have no new offenses at all.
Mack I think you need to re-study your info about sex offenders very rarely re-offend.
October 30, 2011 10:04 PM
I don't know about Mack but I think YOU need to re-study your info.
But thanks for saying that to Mack, it made me look it up and learn something.
What I haven't seen mentioned here is that the majority of sex offenses do not involve children. But time and again, we see the Sex Offenders Registry being directly related to, or reported in the context of, offenses against children. This creates a false image for the public, appearing that our politicians and law enforcement officials are tough on crime. Sex offenders have the lowest rate of recidivism of any other type of crime, yet we do not seem to care who the murderers, thieves, arsonists, etc. are when they are on probation/parole. Why aren't these folks singled out?
The vast majority of sex offenses are committed by someone known to the victim. These signs do nothing to protect anyone, especially since we are only talking about those under supervision. Sex offenders released from parole/probation do not have to put up signs.
IT is a BIG joke and a waste of tax payers hard earned money. But if the lawmakers and voters have a warm and fuzzy feeling with the useless laws that will not STOP the REAL sex offenders, then "to each their own"
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