N.J. sex offenders must stay in on Halloween

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey sex offenders who face supervision under Megan's Law will be confined to their homes on Halloween and will be under orders not to answer the door when trick-or-treaters come calling.

It will be the first time sex offenders in New Jersey will be subject to a curfew.

A lawyer who represents offenders questioned whether the ban will protect children.

The rules were issued by the state Parole Board in a recent letter to the 2,200 offenders it supervises.

The offenders must be indoors by 7 p.m. Monday and cannot answer their door when trick-or-treaters knock. They cannot attend parties where there are children, and cannot take any children, including their own, out in search of treats.

"Our goal is to avoid unsupervised contact," said Edward M. Bray, acting deputy executive director of the state Parole Board.