Police recommend checking Sex Offender Registry before trick-or-treating

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) – Law enforcement is recommending parents and guardians check the Mississippi Sex Offender Registry before trick-or-treating.

The website is free to use and allows a user to search by address or ZIP code.

A look at the registry can help in the decision on where a child can trick-or-treat.

“You don’t want to take your child in a neighborhood where there are known predators. Sadly enough, there are predators out there,” said Nicholas Hairston, the Public Information Officer for Columbus Police. “It’s very important that you have tools like that and that you use those tools.”

Hairston said before a family leaves home, take a photo of a child before they put on their costume and another photo afterwards.

This is so law enforcement can identify a child if needed.

The website can be found at state.sor.dps.ms.gov.