Dozens of convicted sex offenders across California are back behind bars after state and local law enforcement officials went to their homes on Halloween night to make sure they weren’t coming in contact with children. Officials with state’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation say parole agents and police officers knocked on the doors of nearly 1,200 sex offenders across California as part of an annual Halloween night compliance check and search of their homes.
During the checks, law enforcement officials say 62 people were arrested for parole or probation violations, including two who were parolees-at-large. Fifteen parolees were also arrested for possession of child pornography and six for having guns or other prohibited weapons.
Halloween night check of sex offenders is annual operation
The statewide compliance checks are part of an annual operation California prison and local enforcement officials have been conducting for 23 years. Known as “Operation Boo” officials say it’s part of how they monitor sex offenders to make sure they’re abiding by their release terms, including special conditions imposed so convicted sex offenders won’t be able attract children to their homes on Halloween.
Sex offenders forbidden from handing out candy; face other restrictions
Among those conditions, corrections officials say sex offenders must remain indoors from 5:00 Halloween night until 5:00 the next morning and are forbidden from handing out candy. They must even must keep their outdoor lights turned off to discourage trick-or-treaters. And, they can only open their door on Halloween night to police officers or parole agents.
“Our gratitude goes out to the parole agents and local law enforcement personnel who gave up their family time to help ensure that California’s children were safe as they enjoyed this holiday tradition, and who helped us empower parents to teach their children about potentially dangerous adult behavior,” said Guillermo Viera Rosa, director of the division of Adult Parole Operations in announcing the results of the Halloween night compliance check.