Forrest County Sheriff urges residents to check sex offender registry before Halloween
Major Jamie Humphrey advises parents to verify addresses via the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, noting the state lacks laws restricting registered offenders from trick-or-treating.
By Yara Nasser ·
Parents in Forrest County, Mississippi, are being advised to verify their trick-or-treating routes against the state sex offender registry this Halloween. The Forrest County Sheriff’s Office issued the guidance on October 30, 2026, urging residents to use the tool before setting out.
Major Jamie Humphrey of the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office stated that many residents are unaware of who lives in their immediate vicinity. He noted that a registered offender may reside near a family's home without the parents knowing. Humphrey said the registry is a planning step that is often overlooked.
Humphrey pointed out a legal difference between Mississippi and other states. He explained that Florida prohibits registered sex offenders from displaying Halloween decorations. Mississippi does not have a similar rule. Consequently, a registered offender in Mississippi may put up decorations and hand out candy on October 31 without violating state law.
The sheriff’s office recommends that parents search the Mississippi Sex Offender Registry online. The registry is maintained by the Department of Public Safety. Users can look up addresses or ZIP codes to identify registered individuals in a specific area. Humphrey advised that if a registered offender’s home is on a planned route, parents should avoid that specific house.
He suggested avoiding the home to reduce guesswork. He called this the best advice for parents planning a route. The office also listed standard safety measures. These include supervising children under the age of 12 and inspecting all candy after the night is over.
Humphrey emphasized street safety for young children. He recommended teaching children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. This ensures the driver sees the child. He said this step adds a layer of awareness beyond the standard instruction to look both ways.
The registry search is available to the public through the Department of Public Safety website. Parents can input specific location data to review the list of registered sex offenders in their neighborhood. The sheriff’s office did not propose new legislation during the announcement. The advice serves as a precaution for the upcoming holiday.
