HOUSTON \u2013 With Halloween approaching, Houston-area parents can use a free online map from the Texas Department of Public Safety to check where registered sex offenders live before planning their children\u2019s trick-or-treating routes.<\/p>\n
The Texas Public Sex Offender Registry<\/a> allows users to search for registered sex offenders by location and view available registration information, including photos, addresses and offense details. The database covers communities across Texas, including the Greater Houston area.<\/p>\n How to check the Texas sex offender registry<\/p>\n Parents can search the state database before deciding where their children will trick-or-treat.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to use the map:<\/p>\n Follow the website\u2019s instructions and review its disclosure statement.<\/p>\n Enter an address or use the available search options to find registered sex offenders in the area.<\/p>\n Review the results and click individual records to see available information.<\/p>\n The registry is maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety and contains information reported by law enforcement agencies. DPS cautions that it cannot guarantee every record has been correctly matched to the person a user is seeking. <\/p>\n Read more about the Texas Sex Offender Registration Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n Are registered sex offenders allowed to hand out candy on Halloween?<\/p>\n Not every person listed on the sex offender registry is automatically prohibited from participating in Halloween activities. Restrictions can depend on an individual\u2019s parole or probation conditions and applicable local laws.<\/p>\n Texas DPS recommends checking the registry as part of Halloween planning. The agency also advises families to stick to familiar neighborhoods, supervise children and avoid entering strangers\u2019 homes. <\/p>\n