Community Corner
Patch Asks: Should Sex Offenders Have to Post a 'No Candy' Notice on Halloween?
One Southern California city requires a sign in front of registered offenders' homes stating they have no candy at the residence.
The city of Orange here in Southern California requires, by law, that registered sex offenders post a sign on Halloween stating their residence has no candy, but that may soon change. The law was challenged this week via a federal law suit.
On behalf of an a person identified as "John Doe," an organization called Reform Sex Offender Laws claims the law violates the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment and puts sex offenders and their family members at risk for physical and emotional harm, according to an OC Weekly blog.
The Los Angeles Times reports none of the city's 86 registered sex offenders have been cited since the 2010 law was adopted in Orange.
[Click here to begin a search of the sex offender directory in your own
neighborhood.]
Do you think registered sex offenders should have to post a sign? Do you think doing so accomplishes the task of keeping children and others safe? Do you agree with those filing the suit that it could end up hurting others living in the residence? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
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