Russell County takes measures to make Halloween safer - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

Russell County takes measures to make Halloween safer

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RUSSELL COUNTY, AL (WTVM) -

Although Halloween is a night full of ghost and goblins, that doesn't mean it has to be dangerous.  

In an effort to keep the night safe, an East Alabama county took extra precautions to make sure trick-or-treaters didn't knock on the wrong door.

Russell County authorities required sex offenders that are on probation to attend a meeting between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., prime trick-or-treating hours.

The Russell County Sheriff's Office worked with the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles to give the refresher course in sex offender laws.

"We're just trying to make it as safe as we can and we're not advocating that any of our guys would go out and snatch a kid," Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor said.

Taylor explained the required meeting not only made the community feel safer, it also served another purpose.

"I think everyone of them that showed up wanted to show the community that they're not bad people and that they're trying to do what's right," Sheriff Taylor said.

 

Sheriff Taylor said as an incentive to those that are not required to attend the meeting and volunteer to come, their offender registration fee would be waived.

There are more than 150 registered sex offenders living in Russell County.

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