Newark, N.J. – New Jersey sex offenders who face supervision under Megan’s Law will be confined to their homes on Halloween and will be under orders not to answer the door when trick-or-treaters come calling.
It will be the first time sex offenders in New Jersey will be subject to a curfew.
A lawyer who represents offenders questioned whether the ban will protect children.
The rules were issued by the state Parole Board in a letter to the 2,200 offenders it supervises.
The offenders must be indoors by 7 p.m. Monday and may not answer the door when trick-or-treaters knock. They may not attend parties where there are children and may not take any children, including their own, out in search of treats.
“Our goal is to avoid unsupervised contact,” said Edward Bray, acting deputy executive director of the state Parole Board. “There wasn’t a specific event or events that was the impetus for this.”
Bray said he was not aware of any other states with a similar curfew. Megan’s Law got its start in New Jersey after the 1994 rape and murder of 7-year- old Megan Kanka by a sex offender who lived across the street.
Megan’s Law requires sex offenders to register with police when they move into a community and for residents to be notified.
Lawyer John Furlong said Tuesday that he has heard from half a dozen of his clients regarding the curfew but said a legal challenge would not be practical. He conceded that the state has the authority to impose the curfew.
But he said: “Nobody is going to be less at risk. No purpose is served other than the arbitrary abuse of power by people who can.”
Bray said checks will be done by parole officers. In addition, local police departments have been notified of the curfew and were asked to contact the board if they see a violation, he said.
