Halloweenitis invades Alabama, 2012 edition

It's my birthday. Yes, I was born on Halloween. It is the day for scary things, and nothing is scarier than the fearmongering of our local members of the "law enforcement community."

I'm sure there will be more of the same as the day continues, but here are a couple of stupid articles exacerbating the new sex offender urban myth:

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/10/post_809.html


Watch out for sex offenders on Halloween, Jefferson County authorities warn
 By Carol Robinson | crobinson@al.com
on October 30, 2012 at 2:11 PM, updated October 30, 2012 at 2:33 PM Email | Print

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Alabama - As if Halloween isn't creepy enough already, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has issued a warning to remind trick or treaters to stay away from the real creeps.

The ghoulish truth is convicted sex offenders are out there, sheriff's officials said, and parents and children need to know where they are and avoid those homes when planning their routes.

"It's just the world we live in now,'' said Chief Deputy Randy Christian. "The truth is it has always been a safety issue, but back in the old days there was no sex offender registry available. Our children were just out there without a safety net."

"The fact that we know where they are now is very helpful in arming our parents with that information,'' Christian said, "so they can make safe, good , decisions about avoiding them and keeping our young people out of harm's way."

To find out if there are any sex offenders nearby, go to the sheriff's office website at www.jeffcosheriff.net and click on Sex Offenders. "What we want more than anything,'' Christian said, "is for all of our little ghost and goblins to have a safe and fun Halloween."

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/10/huntsville_police_increase_pat.html


Home Owners Should: Have a well-lit home both inside and out to prevent vandalism and injuries, remove all obstacles from their lawns to avoid injuries and don't use candles in ornaments that could set a fire.

Check their neighborhoods for known sex offenders by visiting _____ (website deleted)

I'd like to remind these people that research has shown that these laws are not necessary, as Halloween has already been safe. http://www.oncefallen.com/HalloweenLaws.html

There is no statewide law banning registrants from participating in Halloween, but use caution before engaging in any Halloween Activity. Cops are looking for any excuse to detain you.