Crime & Safety
Indiana Halloween Alert: Sheriffs Urge Sex Offender Registry Checks
Indianapolis, IN – With Halloween approaching Saturday, Oct. 31, Indiana sheriffs are urging parents statewide to review neighborhood safety resources, including local sex offender registries, before
By Blake Harrison · 2026-10-22T02:32:22.460Z
Indianapolis, IN – With Halloween approaching Saturday, Oct. 31, Indiana sheriffs are urging parents statewide to review neighborhood safety resources, including local sex offender registries, before children head out trick or treating.
According to the Indiana Sheriffs' Association, a statewide public safety awareness campaign is encouraging families to use county level Sex and Violent Offender Registry tools to plan Halloween routes and receive notifications about registered offenders in their communities.
The online registry system, maintained through Indiana's 92 county sheriffs in partnership with OffenderWatch, allows residents to review mapped registry information near homes, schools and daycare facilities.
Families can also register for automated electronic notifications when a registered offender moves within a selected radius, such as one mile, of a designated address.
"Trick or treat night brings an influx of pedestrian traffic to our neighborhoods, and it's essential that parents take a proactive approach to safety," said Porter County Sheriff Jeff Balon, the association's 2026 president.
The association recommends that parents plan routes in advance, supervise younger children and establish meeting locations in case anyone becomes separated.
Additional precautions include using reflective tape or glow sticks, carrying flashlights, staying on well lit sidewalks and inspecting candy before consumption.
Officials also encourage residents to register for neighborhood alerts through their county sheriff's website.
ISA Executive Director Stephen P. Luce said the notification system provides families with information they can use throughout the year, not just during Halloween.
The campaign applies to communities across Indiana, including Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Evansville and surrounding counties.
Residents can access their county sheriff's registry portal through the Indiana Sheriffs' Association website .
The association emphasized preparation, awareness and cooperation between families and law enforcement as central components of Halloween safety.