Police share Halloween safety tips; demonstrate sex offender database app

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind.-- With the spookiest night of the year just two days away, local police have tips for families making their Halloween plans.

 “We want people to go out and have fun but most importantly we want them to be safe,” says Patrolman R.W. Harvey, St. Joseph County Police Department.

Protecting your kids from child predators is a matter of knowing which homes to avoid, according to local law enforcement.

The U.S. Department of Justice recently made the national sex offender registry available through a mobile app.

The app tracks your location and pinpoints all the homes within one mile where registered sex offenders live.

To download the app, click this link from your mobile device.

Harvey says it’s important to stick with your group but if you separate, make sure to keep your cell phone handy so others can easily reach you.

“Always communicate with each other and know where everyone is going. It’s really important to stay in the areas you know and go to houses that are lighted,” says Harvey.

Indiana State Police remind parents to hold off on letting their kids eat candy until they are back home and know it’s safe to eat. For all of their tips, click here.

Another way to keep kids safe is to partake in alternatives to door-to-door trick or treating. For a list of local Halloween events, click here.

Michiana trick or treat hours can be found by clicking here.