HOUSTON, TX—
Kids used to be able to roam neighborhoods by themselves on Halloween decades ago. It's different now, along with tricks and treats, there are also threats.That real life threat has Hope O'Donnell concerned for her brothers' trick or treating.
"We're going to take them to Katy Mills Mall," she told us. "It's safer and you don't have to worry about the weather, you don't ever really know who your neighbors are."
She's not alone. Parents in Houston were out Saturday night with the little ones at the Children's Museum for a costumed candy grab in a controlled environment.
"This way you guys don't have to be on the streets, you don't have to worry about the traffic, or the people that or out there," said museum manager Kaylin Camp. "We have a safe place, a fun environment, where everybody can have a good time."
For those parents who choose conventional neighborhood activities, know Houston Police are stepping up patrols for sex offenders.
"Nothing to lure children to their residence, the porch light should be off, the vehicles can't be decorated," said Sgt. Shandra White with HPD's sex offenders registration unit.
Sgt. White says any offender caught with Halloween decorations on a home or car, which could be considered an attempt to lure children, faces trouble with the law.
"We will immediately request that the decoration come down and we would then notify their probation or parole officer of the violation," she said.
Parents now have a new tool for Halloween safety. A new app for iPhone and Android phones shows you where sex offenders live in your neighborhood using state databases. For example in the Katy neighborhood where we tried it out, we found 57 registered sex offenders.
The app called Tracker from BeenVerified.com, compliments the real-time data on the Texas Department of Public Safety's sex offender registry. In a featured called augmented reality, using your phone's camera, you can locate offenders visually. You might be surprised how many dots you find in your neighborhood. The app normally costs $1.99, but with Halloween the app's maker is offering a dollar off.
It's a fact not lost on O'Donnell.
"Who do you ever really ever know," she asked.
The Houston Police Department has some safety tips for Halloween. Motorists should use extra caution and watch out for children who are trick or treating, especially after dark. HPD also wants to remind parents of some basic safety tips such as:
* Never let children walk alone.
* Do not allow children to enter the cars or homes of strangers.
* Children should always have an adult inspect candy before eating anything, and never eat any unwrapped food.
* Children should wear light colored or reflective costumes and should carry a flashlight or other light source to make them more visible.
