Check Your Trick-or-Treat Route for Safety

How to look up registered offenders before heading out

Before you grab the candy bags and costumes, it’s smart to take a moment to make sure your family’s trick-or-treat route is as safe as possible. Whether you’re staying in your own neighborhood or exploring somewhere new, most states give you tools to see if any registered sex offenders or predators live nearby.

Why It’s Worth Checking

Many states place restrictions on registered offenders during Halloween—such as banning decorations or requiring lights to stay off while children are out. Still, the best protection is awareness. Knowing who lives along your route can help you plan where to go (and where not to).

One Easy National Search

Start with the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW). It lets you enter an address, ZIP code, or city and see results within a chosen distance. The map view shows names, photos, and other public information, helping families stay alert before heading out the door.

State-by-State Resources

Each state also runs its own database. Here are a few examples:

• Florida: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement offers both an app and website search by address or ZIP code.
• New Jersey: The state police site lists local offenders and allows neighborhood radius searches.
• Illinois: The state’s Sex Offender Database maps nearby offenders with distance details.
• Massachusetts: The Sex Offender Registry Board provides public information for Level 2 and Level 3 offenders.

If your state isn’t listed here, search “[Your State] sex offender registry” to find the official portal.

Before You Head Out

Review any listings and plan accordingly.
A few extra minutes before you leave can make the night more fun—and far safer—for everyone.

Map your route and plug the address into the NSOPW or your state site.

Choose a radius—usually ¼ mile to 1 mile works best for walking routes.