By HEATHER RUPPE
As children Trick-Or-Treat this weekend and go door to door, it’s important to remember safety and that not all Colleton residents can actually participate in the annual tradition.
There are 126 registered sex offenders in Colleton County. These registered sex offenders are tracked by a member of the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office – the agency’s Sex Offender Registry Coordinator, Deputy Yolonda Washington. Washington is responsible for the entire registration process, which ranges from tracking their address and employment to making sure that sex offender registrants stay compliant with state law by not participating in Halloween: South Carolina law requires that all registered sex offenders in the entire state turn off their porch lights and not participate in the child-driven holiday. There is also a curfew in place on Sunday for registered offenders, and sex offenders in South Carolina cannot participate in Halloween or attend Halloween parties, according to the S.C. Department of Probation and Parole.
Local authorities are encouraging Colleton children, and parents, to stay vigilant this weekend and remember a few safety points:
Don’t knock on doors while Trick-Or-Treating if porch lights are not turned on.
Only visit neighborhoods that you are familiar with.
Wear brightly-colored clothing, carry a flashlight or wear a safety vest.
Always check candy before eating it.
Parents can check the S.C. Sex Offender Registry to steer clear of certain neighborhoods.
