No Tricks or Treats, Murrieta Police Urge Sex Offenders

Murrieta police plan to visit the homes of registered sex offenders this week with a personal letter from the police chief.

The letter, signed by Murrieta police Chief Mike Baray, strongly suggests registered sex offenders display a flier provided by the department advertising there will be no treats available, and that they leave their porch lights off on Halloween night.

"The department has a duty to provide protection for all the residents of the City of Murrieta, including you," Baray writes. "To avoid any unnecessary allegations of impropriety with minors, I strongly suggest you protect yourself by voluntarily refraining from interacting with the children during the trick or treat holiday.

"I strongly recommend you voluntarily display this sign at your residence and leave your porch light out on Halloween night."

Baray writes that it is a "voluntary program that protects both the children in our community and you."

Lt. Bob Davenport, who heads up the Investigations Division, said there are 62 registered sex offenders in Murrieta. Of those, 34 have been convicted of crimes against children.

Davenport said the department will be delivering the letters and fliers to the homes of those 34 this week.

In line with the Murrieta program, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors last week approved an urgency ordinance making it a violation for registered sex offenders to participate in Halloween trick-or-treating.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department will be issuing misdemeanors to those in unincorporated areas who are suspected of violating the ordinance. The misdemeanor is punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and six months in jail, or both, according to a sheriff's department news release.

To find registered sex offenders in your neighborhood, visit the Megan's Law website by clicking here.