For the fourth year, more than 1,000 doors in Maryland will be off-limits to trick-or-treaters this Halloween.
Last month, the state's Division of Parole and Probation sent a letter to 1,200 sex offenders restricted from contact with minors.
"We ask the offender to turn the lights off and put a 'no candy' sign in their window to reduce the threat or the anxiety for Halloween," said Patrick McGee, the division's director.
McGee said offenders who do not comply could go to court for violating their parole or probation.
Maryland is one of several states with a Halloween Watch Program. The American Civil Liberties Union is challenging Missouri's statute, since it also applies to offenders who already have finished their sentences.
The Maryland ACLU declined to comment for this story.
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