What Would U Have Done?

You would have ripped the camera from his hands?? Wow. I think you're wound a little tight. I doubt he meant any harm.

My camera is my 3rd arm. It is ALWAYS on me. And I take pics of kids all the time... and email them to their parents more often than not. I'm not a perv. I just love photography.

On Halloween... people usually take pics of my son... especially if I've handmade the costume. They're not interested in HIM, they're interested in his costume.

It's halloween - kids are cute.

There are actually MANY studies done and this is actually NOT the worst time of year for child predators. In fact there are ZERO statistics to support ANY child has EVER been molested on Halloween by someone other than a close friend/family member.

The biggest danger on Halloween to children is being hit by a car (well, and cavities).

My dad used to take pictures of cool costumes sometimes when I was growing up. Never for a harmful reason, just because they were cool. He's always been a pretty good photographer that liked taking photos. There's no reason to jump to worse case.

I took pictures of the kids last night too, I'm not a perv. I told the moms I would print them out for them if they would like. Maybe he works for the newspaper and was trying to get some shots for that. Chances are your kid is unrecognizable anyway while in costume.

I think you're reading way too much into this. I'm sure it was harmless.

I would have smiled for the camera =) I think it was probably harmless, I don't see what he could do with the pictures even if he was some sort of pervert? Your kids were clothed in costumes, right? I totally understand being cautious and children should have some measure of privacy---but what are you gonna do? Start making your kids wear bee-keeper hats, Michael Jackson style? The kids are all dressed up, and you went on this guys propertyto trick or treat. If you are that concerned, next time skip houses where they are taking pictures. And try to relax a little. . .

Don't worry. I know several old people whose grandchildren never seem to come around and they get a smile by seeing the pictures of the neighborhood kids.

Paranoia is a dangerous state of mind.

Good luck to you and yours.

I can totally see where you are coming from but try to step back and consider other posibilities. Does your neigborhood have a newletter- we had someone outside taking picures in our neigborhood too- for the newsletter. I definitly think we should always be on alert when it comes to our kids but at the same time we can't worry ourselves sick. Even if he was a predetor- those pictures won't put him any closer to getting to your child as long as you are taking steps to do what you can to keep your kids safe.

I see your point but I still think you are wound a little tight about it. It's Halloween.

Were you in your neighborhood? Do you know your neighbors?

I was outside last night with many of my neighbors and everyone had cameras flashing.

The last thing I would do would be to go to this neighbor's house (they are probably nice people if you just meet them) and accuse him of being a pedophile. You don't want to charged with slander do you?

Most of the time, the molesters are the ones closest to you and ones you trust.

I'm surprised that this was the only person taking pictures. I've seen lights flash all the time during many Halloweens. Kids and their costumes are cute. Even if your children are in a picture the picture taker doesn't know who they are or where they live. I don't understand your concern.

There is such a thing as being overly sensitive. It's good you've checked the web site for child molesters living in your neighborhood. Since you found none, I urge you to relax and enjoy Halloween.

Later: another thought. Are you sure he was taking pictures of your children? I take pictures of my grandchildren and do sometimes get serious looks from people around me. Then I notice other children are in my frame. I still take the picture. It's so sad that we've become so focused on privacy and fear. I miss the old neighborly feel that the world used to have. Fortunately my neighborhood still has it. But then, it's an old established neighborhood. I understand the fear but I fight against it in myself.

Really I get what you are saying but what exactly do you think he can do with the pictures?
A. He didn't ask for a name or address
B. They were in costumes so how would he recognize them.
I think you just need to take a breath and realize that people who stand in their driveway handing out candy LOVE Halloween and maybe it is as simple as that. However next time someone takes a picture of your kids I would just politely ask them to stop and to delete the pics.

Lots of people take pictures of kids on Halloween, even just kids that come to the door, because they like the costumes. I would not have thought much of it myself.

Just a thought; could you even tell who the kids were w/ their costumes on??

I can't believe the responses you have gotten. Why don't you guys go hang out at the mall some tuesday and snap random pictures of little kids there and see what reactions you get. be sure to wear your trench coats.

I don't care how cute the darn costume is, you don't need to take a picture of a child you don't know who is walking up to your door to get candy. What's the point? are you gonna print it out and hang it on your basement wall??

My problem really is less about child molesters, Personally, i think they are more subtle than this. It's really just a privacy/respect issue. It totally would have been one thing if he had asked first OR if you knew him OR if he explained that he worked for the paper or what ever. I was going to say i wouldn't be AS concerned if it was a woman who had done this, but the more i think about it the more I still think it is rude. If you know the address Skip this house next year.

I saw a few people take group pictures of kids/parents for all the costumes last night. I didn't think twice about it.

honestly, i wouldn't stress over it. your children are much more likely to be molested by a family member or close friend than this neighbor that took a pic of your kid all dressed up on halloween. i would have just figured they were taking pics of all the cute kiddos in their costumes. were you trick-or-treating in your own neighborhood? if so, maybe it's time to meet your neighbors. go over and introduce yourself, talk to him for a few minutes, ask him if he'll email you the photo of your child. you'll prob get a "feel" for him one way or the other. i wouldn't go over with guns blazing accusing him of being a pedophile.

I probably would have thought it was weird too, but what if it was just innocent? Child predators are not allowed to be involved in halloween, they cannot hand out candy, decorate their house, nothing. I would probably let it go.
My main concern last night was people handing out candy, while sitting behind fire pits! I had to keep telling my kids, "Watch the fire!". Im gonna skip those next year! ;)

I think it's a good thing you didn't rip the camera out of his hands. It could have been completely innocent.

Just check the website.

I don't know... innocent or not, it still sounds creepy to me

he can do whatever he likes in his own driveway!

I would have told him 'NO photos.... privacy issues... these are my kids"
I would, go back there, and tell him... that the photos was not consented to... by you, the Parent....

It could have been a lot of things... is there a neighborhood newsletter? Maybe he submits pictures to the city website? Maybe kids he knew were nearby? I don't see what he would really gain getting pictures of kids in costumes. Maybe he's a little simple? My husband had a guy in his 30s that was too helpful with our daughter at a park, talking to her a lot and following her around so he (my husband) got close and stayed close, after getting to know the guy he was obviously special needs and innocently trying to make friends. Taking pictures doesn't seem sexual, at least? plus there are a TON of pictures of kids in costumes easily available on the internet...

http://www.familywatchdog.us/

Is the best site I know of to check for registered offenders in your area.

If you're really concerned you could call the non-emergency line and report it, tell them your concerns if you remember which house so they can ask the guy - or they have a heads up if there are more reports.

Good luck, I hope its nothing.

I would be concerned, because I don't feel comfortable with strangers having pictures of my child. I would not have jumped to the predator conclusion right away, but I would have said something. Like another comment, I would have mentioned privacy issues .

As far as the other poster saying there are zero statistics to support a stranger molesting on Halloween...that is kind of true...but kind of not true. You can't do statistics on ONE day. The vast majority of molestation crimes go unreported. The ones that do, can be days, months, years later, YES, children can (have and will) be molested on Halloween, but I don't think it's probably any more then another day of the year. That's why we have to do what we can ever day. For me, that's not letting strangers take pictures of my child...whether the reason is deviant or not. While the picture taker might have innocently snapping pictures...with the virtual world, you just never know whose hands pictures can fall into.

hard one. I went trick or treating and a mom took a pic of my kids. they were dressed as legos. Anyway, she did ask permission before snapping a pic. If the person was on his/her property, i think they are allowed to take photos. its up to you to say no. or block the moment.

So when it hit you why didn't you go back to the house where he was taking pictures at & ask him?It was only a few minutes later..

Hi L.
Yes I would be concerned.
Obviously we can't persume everyone is a predator,that would be the worst case scenario.What he was doing was not right ,regardless of his intentions.
He was downright rude not to ask the parents permission to take photos.
I would go back and ask to see these photos and tell him you want the photos of your children deleted.If you don't feel comfortable with this ring your local authorities for advise.
I believe to always err on the side of caution when it comes to protecting our children.
If he has nothing to hide then he should have no problem apologising and understanding why you might be upset.
B.

You are not wrong to think the way you do in a crazy world we live in. The fact that you didn't think much of it at first and then it hit you says your other sense kicked in. However, he could just be taking pics of the different types of costumes. If you are not comfortable, see if you could go back to that house and ask him to delete the pics he took of your child. You could also dismiss it and trust that your child was in a costume, that he doesn't know where you live and he could not get a good pic in the night. I probably would go on the internet and see if he is listed anywhere, but that's why I don't celebrate Halloween for those same issues. Too creepy!

It is really weird that he would take pictures of children that he does not know in any way. No reason for it. Do you know if he has kids or not? If the answer is no I would definitely follow up on it. Not that it really makes it OK if he HAS kids but it is REALLY not OK in my book if he does not. In response to the poster questioning what he can do with those pictures-the answer is anything he wants. He can edit them in any fashion that he desires. He can take a childs head and put it on another body for example.