(Versailles, Ind.) -  A local sheriff is asking the parents of little ghouls and goblins to help them avoid trick-or-treating at the homes of sex offenders this Halloween.

Ripley County Sheriff Tom Grills says there almost 60 registered sex offenders living in the county. He has posted the addresses of those homes on the sheriff’s website, www.ripleycounty.com/sheriff.

“Halloween can be great fun for our kids, but unfortunately there are people out there who may harm them.  Being prepared is the first step in assuring all goes well.  Make a plan for the night and talk to your kids about how to stay safe.  You can make a difference,” says Grills.

CLICK HERE FOR HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREAT SAFETY TIPS FROM THE INDIANA STATE POLICE.

The sheriff advises parents taking their children to another neighborhood to trick-or-treat to check the online Indiana Sex Offender Registry.

“We do the best we can in making sure sex offenders live where they tell us, so it is crucial that our citizens visit our website to see who and where an offender might be living within their neighborhood,” Grills says.

LINKS:

Online Indiana Sex Offender Registry - http://www.communitynotification.com/cap_main.php?office=54870