Sex offenders and predators living in Venice got an unexpected visit on Halloween from two Venice police officers.

"By state statute, we go out once a month and check on the sex offenders living here," Lt. Tom McNulty said. "But this is the first time we've done it on Halloween."

McNulty and VPD Det. Ginger Stone paired up for the trip around town to personally contact the offenders who reside in Venice.

McNulty said VPD Chief Julie Williams picked Halloween because there is so much opportunity for interaction between adults and children. He said the police department's primary goal is to protect children.

"We hope that if anybody does have any inappropriate ideas regarding children," McNulty said, "that our presence will change their minds."

Presence

Essentially, McNulty and Stone knocked on doors. McNulty said there are about 12 sex offenders who live in Venice.

McNulty said they ask the offenders questions such as whether their telephone number has changed, what kind of car they have, and whether they are working and where.

McNulty said police are not checking on offenders to harass them.

"We just want them to know we are out there," he said. (

Sex offenders' pictures, names, addresses and a pin-map showing where they live are posted in the lobby of the Venice Police Department, 1350 Ridgewood Ave.

You can also learn more about sexual offenders and where they live by going online at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Web site: www.flsexoffender.net.

You can e-mail Tommy McIntyre at:

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Sexual predator

A sexual predator is a person who has been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, committing a sexually oriented offense and who is likely in the future to commit additional sexually oriented offenses.

A sexual offender designated as a sexual predator is subject to registration and verification requirements for life unless a judge modifies or terminates the sexual predator designation.

Sexual predators are also subject to the neighbor/community notification provisions and the reporting requirements at 90-day intervals.

Sex offender:

A generic term for all persons convicted of crimes involving sex, including rape, molestation, sexual harassment and pornography production or distribution.

By Gerald N. Hill and Kathleen T. Hill

By Tommy McIntyre

Staff Writer

 {mos_sb_discuss:13} Life in Paradise or not

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