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With Halloween trick-or-treating set for Thursday evening, the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office has issued safety guidelines for families and released a list of 26 addresses where registered sex offenders reside.
The list, released in accordance with the Arkansas Sex Offender Registration Act, includes the addresses of Level 3 and Level 4 offenders registered in Baxter County. State law prohibits these individuals from participating in Halloween activities.
“These individuals should not participate in any Halloween activities,” the sheriff’s office stated in its release, which included addresses across Mountain Home, Midway, Clarkridge, Gassville, Salesville, Jordan, Norfork and Gamaliel.
The sheriff’s office recommends trick-or-treating between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., though these times are not officially regulated.
Sheriff John Montgomery urged parents to review safety guidelines with their children before heading out. The department recommends that children stay on sidewalks when moving between houses. When sidewalks are unavailable, trick-or-treaters should walk facing traffic to see oncoming vehicles.
Parents should ensure costumes are flame retardant and apply reflective tape for visibility. The sheriff’s office warns against costumes that are too long, which could cause tripping, and masks that significantly block vision. Children should carry flashlights with fresh batteries after dark and trick-or-treat in groups or with adult supervision.
The sheriff’s office advises trick-or-treaters to never enter homes unless they know the residents. Participating homes typically have porch lights on, and children should avoid dark houses. Families should watch for trip hazards in yards, driveways and walkways, including extension cords, props and decorations.
Parents should inspect all candy before children eat it. When children trick-or-treat without adults, parents should know their planned routes and neighborhoods.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that crossing streets from between parked cars or other obstacles is dangerous. Trick-or-treaters should use intersections, crosswalks or street corners when crossing streets.
Motorists are urged to drive slowly through residential neighborhoods on Halloween evening and watch carefully for children in or crossing streets. The department recommends turning headlights on early and avoiding distractions while driving.
Any suspicious activity should be reported immediately to local law enforcement.
“All of us at the Sheriff’s Office hope everyone participating has a safe and fun Halloween this year,” the department stated in its release.
The following addresses should be avoided during trick-or-treating:
- 188 County Road 900, Midway
- 1743 CR 99, Mountain Home
- 438 CR 265, Mountain Home
- 7 Valley View Place, Salesville
- 141 Hodge Springs Road, Norfork
- 257 Chriswood Drive, Clarkridge
- 58 Cedar Hills Road, Midway
- 2826 Hopewell Hollow Road, Jordan
- 75 Cochran Drive, Mountain Home
- 683 CR 712, Gassville
- 91 Crystal Oaks Trail, Gamaliel
- 285 CR 1159, Gassville
- 70 L and L Ranch Road, Mountain Home
- 73 Winterberry Drive, Salesville
- 671 Howard Creek Road, Midway
- 1324 Cannie Baker Road, Mountain Home
- 188 Country Life Place, Midway
- 101 Su Lane, Mountain Home
- 189 Country Life Terrace, Midway
- 4025 Sycamore Springs Road, Mountain Home
- 4306 Highway 62 East, Mountain Home
- 6468 Highway 5 North, Apt. 2, Midway
- 119 CR 989, Mountain Home
- 170 Road 1423, Mountain Home
- 97 CR 476, Clarkridge
