Chief Tim Lentz is reminding parents to check the sex offender registry before celebrating Halloween this Friday. Louisiana law prohibits sex offenders from wearing masks or distributing candy to persons under eighteen years of age on Halloween.
Convicted sex offenders have to turn off their porch lights and stay inside their homes during trick-or-treating. The Covington Police Department will have extra officers on hand to ensure sex offenders within the city are in compliance and the public is urged to contact law enforcement if they observe a sex offender in violation.
Prior to trick-or-treating parents can visit the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office website and search for sex offenders in the area they plan to take their children. To search for sex offenders, go to www.stpso.com and click the Sex Offenders button on the right hand side of the page.
Chief Lentz states, “Covington has always been a safe place to take children for Halloween. We will have extra officers working again this year to make sure local sex offenders are in compliance and our children have a safe and happy Halloween.”
