Track sex offenders before trick-or-treating

Halloween night is all about the candy and the costumes for kids, but for parents, it's hard to find that balance between having fun and keeping kids safe.

Parents know to tell their kids not to eat unwrapped candy, or not run across the street in the dark, but even with safety measures in place, like carrying a flashlight, and wearing brightly colored costumes, some homes are not safe to trick-or-treat.

Law enforcement agencies say Halloween is one of the most important times to keep track of sex offenders. There's a heightened awareness because kids are out running around. The Arkansas Crime Information Center website provides crime statistics for the entire state on victim notification, missing children, and sexual offenders.

Law enforcement recommends parents check out the website before Halloween by clicking on search. A map shows where the sex offenders live in your neighborhood so you know which homes to avoid.

Lt. Carl Minden with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office says parents should go with their kids trick-or-treating. "Keep an eye on them. Hold their hands even if they don't want to because it's the best way to keep track of them. You can never be completely fool-proof with anything."

Lt. Minden stresses parents arm themselves with information. His best advice is no matter how old kids are they need to be monitored, especially on Halloween. Lt. Minden says, unfortunately every year children get sick from poisoned candy and are hit by cars by not crossing the street at the crosswalk.

Another important reminder from Lt. Minden is if the lights are out at a house, don't ring the door bell. Houses obviously decorated for Halloween welcome trick-or-treaters.