Operation Halloween back to keep sex offenders at home

With five years of success under its belt, the Putnam County Adult Probation Department will bring back Operation Halloween for Sunday, Oct. 30 and Monday, Oct. 31.

Operation Halloween requires all convicted and registered sex offenders under probationary supervision who have no-contact orders with children to participate in the program.

“This has been a very successful program for us,” Assistant Chief Probation Officer Garret Nichols said. “Our field officers do a great job, and they really do it on their own time.”

As part of the operation, all sex offenders must adhere to a special curfew and restrictions. Any exception to participation due to employment or community-based programs must be preapproved by the Probation Field Unit. Otherwise, they shall remain at home.

On Sunday, Oct. 30 and Monday, Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. or after arriving home from work or the completion of a community-based program, all sex offenders are required to remain in their residences until 6 a.m. the following morning. Offenders in the program are required to keep outside lights turned off and are not allowed to display Halloween decorations, open doors, distribute candy, wear any costume, mask or other disguises or partake in the act of trick-or-treating.

During this time, the probation field officers are also apt to make visits to the homes of offenders to make sure they are not violating the terms of the program.

Additionally, home visits have already been going on in October to see if anything looks different or suspicious, such as bowls of candy.

“This gives us a time to make sure we go in and look at each and every one of their homes,” Nichols said.

In some communities, offenders are required to come together and watch a movie during trick-or-treating hours, but Nichols said this did not work for Putnam County, instead adopting the current program in 2017.

Of course, the goal of keeping kids safe from predators is important at other times of year.

“A lot of them will feel like around Christmas time that they’d like to give little presents,” Nichols said. “It’s a good time for our officers to do their due diligence.”

Throughout the year, the Probation Department tries to partner with local law enforcement agencies so they know where sex offenders reside and can also keep an eye out.

The probation officers also work closely with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office as it maintains the sex offender registry.

“Our sheriff’s department does a really good job,” Chief Probation Officer Teresa Parrish said. “They go out, they check them. They make sure they register when they are supposed to.”

Also praising the support from Putnam County’s judges and prosecutor, Parrish said she’s proud of Putnam County’s track record of not having many repeat sex offenders.

“I think it shows in our county,” she said. “I’ve been here for lots of years, and I don’t remember having many repeat offenders. It says a lot for Putnam County.”

Parrish and Nichols emphasized that anyone with questions or concerns may contact the Probation Department at 653-3514.

“We’d be glad to entertain any questions they have, any concerns,” Parrish said. “We will gladly look into anything.”

“Children are our most valuable asset in a community,” Nichols said. “And we think of our own children and grandchildren.”

“You just want what’s best for those kids,” Parrish added.