Study Questions Halloween Sex Offender Policies

Maryland is among more than a dozen states to restrict sex offenders on Halloween. But not everyone thinks that's the best way to keep kids safe. Patrick Moran directs the union representing parole and probation agents in Maryland. They'll be making sure sex offenders turn out the lights and hang "no candy" signs on their doors Saturday...

" Anything we can do to try keeping our community safe for the kids on Halloween is a positive step."

But Paul Stern, who prosecutes child abuse cases in Washington state, says the Halloween restrictions are pointless...

"Halloween appears to be just like any other autumn day where rates of sex crimes against children are concerned."

Stern co-authored a study of 70,000 non-familial sex offenses in 30 states across nine years, and found sex crimes against children account for 2 of every 1,000 Halloween crimes...

"It's a wonderful thing to put a band-aid on an injury, but you oughta have an injury first. Otherwise you're just wasting the band-aid."

Stern says states should focus on more pressing safety concerns, such as pedestrian-motor vehicle accidents.

Rebecca Sheir reports...