Before choosing where to take the kids out to trick-or-treat this season, be sure to use one of the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office’s online tools.

The Sheriff’s Office urges parents to know the identity of registered sex offenders in their trick-or-treat area. 

With approximately 206 registered sex offenders living in LaPorte County, 80% of all addresses have at least one sex offender living within one mile from them. 

Parents can utilize the OffenderWatch Sex Offender registry by visiting laportecountysheriff.com. 

Then, you can search for specific offenders, or you can look within a specified radius of any address. 

It’s a completely free tool that can help keep children and families safe, especially during the Halloween season.