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Meeting takes sex offenders off streets, police offer parents safety tips

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Families across Indiana are getting ready for Halloween.

While the kids think about candy, parents are thinking about safety.

Every Halloween, the Marion County Superior Court holds a mandatory meeting for certain sex offenders with no-contact orders for children. Organizers said the meeting takes about 150 sex offenders off the streets.

The sheriff’s department said more than 1,500 sexual and violent offenders live just in Marion County.

Julie Nottingham said she was thinking about more than just costumes as she went into a north Indianapolis Halloween store with her husband and their four kids.

“As long as we’re with our kids, we’ll be fine,” Nottingham said. “Keep our eyes two on two. He’s got two and I’ve got two.”

Nottingham said the family won’t trick or treat past 8 p.m.

Police said parents should also visit ICrimewatch.   The site shows maps of sex offenders’ homes throughout the state.

A map shows 35 offenders just within one mile of WISH-TV’s studio near 21st Street and Meridian Road.

“You can learn more about the offender that are in your neighborhood, then go out with your kids trick-or-treating and try to avoid those houses,” Marion County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Andrew Dalstrom said.

David Law said he’s taking a close look at the map. He’s trick-or-treating with his two-year-old for the first time.

“When I was little, you never knew who was around,” Law said. “It’s important for me to keep her safe. I just want to raise her in the safest world I possibly can.”