Mississippi Sheriff: 100+ Offenders Live Near Homes in Forrest County

Forrest County Sheriff’s Office officials are asking parents to verify the locations of registered sex offenders before selecting routes for trick-or-treating this Halloween. Major Jamie Humphrey of the sheriff’s office stated that many residents are unaware of how close these individuals live to their own homes. He described the check as a planning step that is often overlooked when families prepare for the holiday.

Humphrey noted a legal gap in Mississippi compared to other jurisdictions. While some states have rules restricting how registered offenders can participate in community events, Mississippi currently has no statute preventing them from decorating their homes or handing out candy. "A registered sex offender in the state of Florida can’t put up Halloween decorations," Humphrey said. "And that’s something maybe the state of Mississippi needs to look at. But there’s no rule against them putting Halloween decorations up or even giving out candy on Halloween. They can do that."

The recommendation to search the registry is straightforward for families. The Mississippi Sex Offender Registry is hosted online by the Department of Public Safety. Users can input specific addresses or ZIP codes to identify registered individuals in a particular area. Humphrey advised that if a registered offender’s home falls on a planned route, parents should simply avoid that house. "The best thing to do is just avoid the house, save any guesswork and just stay away from it," he said.

Beyond checking the database, the sheriff’s office provided additional safety guidelines for the evening. Officers recommend that parents closely supervise children under the age of 12. They also advised families to inspect all collected candy and to maintain heightened vigilance while crossing streets. "From the time me and you were in school, we were taught, look both ways before crossing the street," Humphrey said. "Well, now if you teach a kid to look both ways and you notice a car, make eye contact with it. Teach your kids to make eye contact with the driver. That way, that driver knows that that child’s there."

The guidance comes as the county prepares for the holiday season. The sheriff’s office emphasized that these steps are intended to help parents feel more confident about their children's safety. The registry search tool remains accessible to the public at any time. Families can review the information to determine if they need to adjust their planned paths or add an extra layer of supervision to their evening activities.