Faulkner County Sheriff's Office: Before Halloween, Families should check Sex Offender Registry on the Faulkner County website as well as ACIC (Arkansas Crime Information Center) website

Faulkner County, Arkansas-In Faulkner County, there are approximately 182 registered sex offenders, and Sheriff Tim Ryals wants the community to know where they reside so they may choose to avoid those houses when trick or treating.

"We do the best we can in making sure sex offenders live where they tell us, so it is crucial our citizens visit our website to see who the registered sex offenders are and where they are living." says Sex Offender Coordinator, Vanda Phillips.

Citizens are encouraged to check any addresses where they or their family spend time. Vanda Phillips states "The mapping and address feature found on the website pinpoints exactly where an offender lives." Community members will also find many other beneficial tools online, the informing if an offender moves into their neighborhood or around another address. 

Search for sex offenders on the Faulkner County Sheriff's Office : www.fcso.ar.gov 

Sheriff Tim Ryals encourages everyone to have a fun and safe Halloween. Knowledge is power, and knowing where registered sex offenders reside can help citizens make safer decisions when trick-or treating.

For further information, please call Faulkner County Sheriff's Office CID at 501-450-4917

 

Below is an example of the letter sent to registered sex offenders, informing them of the law which was passed this year.

The Faulkner County Sheriff's Office would like to inform you of the law 5-14-135 Registered offender prohibited from participating in certain Halloween related activities which was passed in 2019.

"Halloween related activities" means an event involving children organized around and concerning the celebration of Halloween that occurs any time during the two (2) weeks before or after October 31 of each year without limitation:

Trick-or-treating

A costume party  

An event involving the wearing of a costume or the handing out of candy to children.

It is unlawful for a person who is required to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act of 1997, 12-12-907 and who has been assessed as a Level 3 or 4 offender to knowingly:

     (1) Distribute candy or any item to a minor as part of Halloween-related event; or

     (2) Wear a mask or other costume as part of a Halloween-related event if a minor is present at the Halloween-related event

As a level 3 or 4 registered sex offender you are not allowed by law effective 2019 to participate in taking your children door to door or to any fall festival, Halloween party, etc. where other minor children will be present. By definition of "participating" you are not allowed to hand your significant other to then hand to minor children at your own home .

A violation of this law is a Class D Felony