CA- Sex offender checks set for Halloween

10-29-2008 California:

Some of those wearing law enforcement uniforms going door to door in the Redding area Halloween night might be the real deal.

Parole agents with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and local law enforcement officers will make a countywide sweep on paroled sex offenders to make sure they're not mingling with trick-or-treaters.

It's called Operation Boo.

And it's no secret that it's coming.

Duane Morlan, assistant unit supervisor for the CDCR's Redding parole unit, said that each of the paroled sex offenders in Shasta County recently was mailed a notice detailing the sex offenders' rules for the evening.

Parolees who have been convicted of sex crimes have a curfew from 5 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday and must remain indoors. All exterior lights on their homes must be turned off, and they're not allowed to offer Halloween candy or put up decorations.

Under the rules, they can answer a knock on their door only if law enforcement officers announce their presence.

Teamed with law enforcement officers from around the county, parole agents will canvas the county from Cottonwood to Lakehead knocking on doors.

The sweeps include only those on parole. The registered sex offenders listed on the Megan's Law Web site who aren't on parole are not included in the sweep.

Last year, parole agents, probation and police officers and sheriff's deputies went to the homes of around 45 parolees.

Mailing letters have been part of the compliance sweeps for years, said Redding Police Sgt. Mike Wood.

He said the sweeps have traditionally been more of a deterrent than a sting, serving as a way to keep children safe as opposed to catching parolees in the act.

Morlan agreed.

"If they blow this, they can't say they haven't had plenty of warning," Morlan said. ..News Source.. by Ryan Sabalow