BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. (WXIA) -- The sign on the door will make it crystal clear to would be trick-or-treaters that they are not welcome at the home of registered sex offenders.
The Bartow County Sheriff's Office will post signs on the homes and apartments of each and every registered sex offender in the county. They'll also send home a letter to parents through the school system warning them about the possible dangers of sending their kids door to door.
There are currently 213 registered sex offenders in the county, eight of whom are labeled "sexual dangerous predators."
Each of the flyers will be hand delivered. The sexual offenders must have the letters on their front door from Saturday night through Sunday morning.
Those are extra measures in addition to a state law that states sex offenders under parole supervision are not allowed to decorate the outside of their home, have outside lights turned on, or open the door for trick-or-treaters. According to the Georgia Parole's Board, the intent is to not allow the offenders to entice children.
In some parts of the state, registered sex offenders will have a dusk to dawn curfew and authorities will do spot visits at homes and conduct searches. In other areas, sex offenders will be directed to report to a facility or location and remain there during "trick or treating" hours.
The Bartow County Sheriff's Office encourages residents to frequently track where sex offenders are by using their Offender Watch program.
Georgia families can also check the state's sex offender registry to determine where registered sex offenders live.
