SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) - A federal lawsuit seeks to block a Simi Valley ordinance that bars sex offenders from opening their doors to children on Halloween.
The Ventura County Star reports the suit filed Friday alleges the ordinance violates the First and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
The newspaper says the suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles by five registered sex offenders, three of their spouses and two of their children, all Simi Valley residents.
The ordinance requires the offenders to post signs on their front doors saying, "No candy or treats at this residence." It also bars them from displaying Halloween decorations or having exterior lighting on their property from 5 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 31.
Simi Valley City Attorney Marjorie Baxter said the lawsuit is groundless.
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
