Police don't want this happening at a sex offender's home. (Media credit/Belinda Hankins Miller via Flickr)
When the doorbell rang at sex offenders’ doors last night, it wasn’t trick-or-treaters — it was the police.
Probation officers and local police across the state made unannounced visits to sex offenders on Halloween to remind them not to offer candy to children. This effort was in addition to numerous other precautions made in preparation for the holiday, including warning sex offenders by mail, phone, and in person over the past two weeks to not answer their doors, turn on outside lights or decorate their properties for Halloween. One county even monitored the activity of sex offenders who wear electronic bracelets.
Michael L. Koperniak, an assistant chief probation officer for the Berkshire County Superior Court, said, “We encourage probationers to be very mindful. If they are home on Halloween night, we caution them against going out for a walk in the community.”
Martin Wallace, Essex County Superior Court’s chief probation officer, said that it’s routine for probation officers to remind sex offenders of the “no contact” order, and that this is especially important during Halloween, when children might be knocking on their doors.
“It’s common sense,” he said. “It’s Halloween. Don’t be around children and don’t be passing out candy.”
Photo courtesy of Belinda Hankins Miller via Flickr
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