(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to protect children from the dangers posed by registered sex offenders convicted of offenses against minors. The following regulations impose reasonable time, place, and manner regulations and are rationally related to advance the City’s interest in protecting children and the general public.
(b) Definitions. For purposes of this section, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this section are defined as follows:
(1) “Child or children” mean any person(s) under the age of eighteen years of age.
(2) “Sex offender” means any person for whom registration is required pursuant to Ohio R.C. Chapter 2950, regardless of whether that person is on parole or probation, and has been convicted of an offense against a child.
(Ord. 7868-12. Passed 10-22-12.)
(c) Halloween, Restrictions, and Conduct. Any sex offender, as defined herein, shall be required, between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m., on the date of observation of Halloween “trick or treating” as determined by the Mayor of each year to do the following:
(1) Leave all exterior residential, decorative, and ornamental lighting off during the evening hours starting at 5:00 p.m. until midnight, the next day.
(2) Refrain from decorating his or her front yard and exterior of the residence with Halloween decorations.
(3) Refrain from answering the door to children who are trick or treating.
(4) Provided, however, that this section (c) shall not apply to the owner(s) of an owner occupied home with whom a sex offender may reside.
(Ord. 7914-13. Passed 9-9-13.)
(d) Penalty. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(Ord. 7868-12. Passed 10-22-12.)
(Ord. 7868-12. Passed 10-22-12.)