Pumpkin symbol marks sex offenders' homes

[silentbob1272]

Good idea, Scarlett Letter the perverts. Let everyone know where they live. I just found out that I have a guy who raped a 11 year old girl living two streets down. Horrible that they are ever allowed back into society. Raping a child should entail life in prison..PERIOD.

Pumpkin symbol marks sex offenders' homes

That is the symbol on a sign they are required to post on their doors with a warning, in capital letters, to trick-or-treaters: "No candy at this residence."

The paper signs began arriving last week in the mailboxes of the roughly 1,200 violent and child-sex offenders across the state with a letter explaining how they are to comport themselves on Oct. 31.

"Halloween provides a rare opportunity for you to demonstrate to your neighbors that you are making a sincere effort to change the direction of your life," the letter states.

In addition to posting the sign, the offenders must stay at home, turn off outside lights and not answer the door, according to the letter obtained by The Washington Times.

"Because Halloween is a holiday in which large numbers of children interact with strangers, the concern among parents and other community members about sexual offenders in their neighborhoods is naturally intensified during this time of year," Patrick McGee, interim director of the state's Division of Parole and Probation, wrote in the Oct. 1 letter.

Maryland has joined other states across the country in steadily increasing restrictions on convicted sex offenders over the past few In 2005, Maryland began requiring sex offenders in Baltimore to stay inside their homes on Halloween. Last year, the program was expanded statewide and offenders were tracked by parole agents and given a simple sign to hang on their doors that read: "No Candy."

Maryland's new regulations are almost identical to those adopted in Missouri this year, particularly the instructions to post the sign and stay at home. Four convicted sex offenders and the American Civil Liberties Union are challenging the Missouri law in federal court.

Louisiana lawmakers this year barred convicted sex offenders from wearing masks on Halloween or during the state's carnival season.

Other states, including New Jersey and Texas, have begun tracking sex offenders at Halloween over the past five years.

Sex offenders In Maryland who do not post the signs and stay home will be taken to court and charged with a violation of parole.However, the new state initiative is not a law.

"We've had very good results," said Wonda Adams, a supervisor at the Parole and Probation Division and coordinator of the Halloween watch program.

"Our goal is public safety, and in keeping with that we need to make sure that the individuals under our supervision are provided with the enhanced supervision that we're committed to," she said.

The state also this year is distributing pamphlets statewide to warn families and trick-or-treaters to stay away from homes with the pumpkin signs, Mrs. Adams said.

Maryland sex offenders are tracked by an online database, listed in the state sex-offender registry and ordered to comply with the Halloween program for varying times - from a lifetime for violent and child sex offenses to 10 years for lesser sex crimes.

State parole and probation agents generally approve of the get-tough initiative, said Raimund Douglas, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3661, which represents the agents.

However, one agent has called the new sign a "publicity stunt" and said it should clearly state that a violent sex offender lives at the house.

"The division is more worried about being politically correct than protecting public safety," said the agent, who asked to remain anonymous.

He also said some sex offenders think the pumpkin sign "is a joke" and that one asked "whether we would we be giving him a turkey decoration at Thanksgiving."

The Maryland ACLU declined to comment for this article.

[pencilpusher. just because]

We have a great government. If you rape a child, no prison, but a pumpkin sticker on your door.

How bout executing the scum and giving his house to the victims? That would be my America.

[silentbob1272]

We have a great government. If you rape a child, no prison, but a pumpkin sticker on your door.

How bout executing the scum and giving his house to the victims? That would be my America.

[DefenseWinzCliche]

I think it's fundamentally a good idea. But I wish the sign was a little less festive. Make it a bright red stop sign. Not a Halloween jack-o-lantern.

[Self Made Soul]

or better yet, why don't we make them where a big red "A" on their clothes, regardless of how severe their crime is?

Look, I detest child molesters just as much as any other red-blooded American, but it is just as great a crime to make a mockery of due process. If someone is on parole, sure, put them in a database, make them march door to door when they move into a neighborhood. But if someone has done their complete prison term, then I believe they shouldn't be treated like scum in the eyes of the law.

[popcornplaya]

or better yet, why don't we make them where a big red "A" on their clothes, regardless of how severe their crime is?

Look, I detest child molesters just as much as any other red-blooded American, but it is just as great a crime to make a mockery of due process. If someone is on parole, sure, put them in a database, make them march door to door when they move into a neighborhood. But if someone has done their complete prison term, then I believe they shouldn't be treated like scum in the eyes of the law.

So you'd rather let a convicted child molestor roam free in society as he chooses. These people have an addiction, and their impulses never go away. They should be chemically castrated and then deported to a remote island with the rest of the scum like them. Make them live in their own society apart from the rest of the world.

[Waterproof_ace83]

hmm, that sticker could cause confusion, especially with this in the driveway.

I kind of want to print a few of those stickers and put them on friends' doors. that would be hilarious.

[TerminusTiercel]

So you'd rather let a convicted child molestor roam free in society as he chooses. These people have an addiction, and their impulses never go away. They should be chemically castrated and then deported to a remote island with the rest of the scum like them. Make them live in their own society apart from the rest of the world.

why stop there

[Waterproof_ace83]

So you'd rather let a convicted child molestor roam free in society as he chooses. These people have an addiction, and their impulses never go away. They should be chemically castrated and then deported to a remote island with the rest of the scum like them. Make them live in their own society apart from the rest of the world.

And then Fox can add it to their fall lineup...think of the ratings!!!

[Joremarid]

"whether we would we be giving him a turkey decoration at Thanksgiving?"

really, what kind of dumb question is that?

[pencilpusher. just because]

or better yet, why don't we make them where a big red "A" on their clothes, regardless of how severe their crime is?

Look, I detest child molesters just as much as any other red-blooded American, but it is just as great a crime to make a mockery of due process. If someone is on parole, sure, put them in a database, make them march door to door when they move into a neighborhood. But if someone has done their complete prison term, then I believe they shouldn't be treated like scum in the eyes of the law.

For certain crimes you have to treat them different. Someone who molests a child should ALWAYS have his whereabouts known and NEVER be allowed to have access to children through their job or volunteer service. It's not treating them like scum, it's just addressing the reality of the situation.

People who prey on children ARE scum in my eyes. yea, anyone can change but I would not bet the security of a child on it.

[shc]

So you'd rather let a convicted child molestor roam free in society as he chooses. These people have an addiction, and their impulses never go away. They should be chemically castrated and then deported to a remote island with the rest of the scum like them. Make them live in their own society apart from the rest of the world.

Do you see the problem with your post? If the molestor is not fit to roam the streets, then society needs to change the punishment of that crime. Don't get mad at the people that believe the system should work as it is designed. Once he is released, he should be treated as such.

[Scott24Falcons]

The sign looks inviting to me.