TN- Inspections for sex offender Halloween violations

OH WOW, he had leaves on his porch, but this time not enough to send him to prison for ten years.

10-31-2008 Tennessee:

KNOXVILLE (WVLT) -- Thousands of East Tennessee children will be going from house to house on Friday dressed as everything from superheroes to the supernatural. To make sure they don't go to a sex offender's house, the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole went around the night before to make sure they don't put up Halloween decorations.

Probation and Parole Manager Dawn Hodge-Burian took a crew from Volunteer TV News with her when she conducted an inspection of state sex offenders’ homes. She quickly spotted a violation outside an offender’s home. He had some autumn leaves on his front porch, which along with orange flowers is prohibited.

"Everyone has the same rules and they have to play by the rules," said Hodge-Burian.

The violation wasn’t enough to issue a warrant, but since the orange color could be misconstrued as a Halloween decoration, he had to take them down.

“I'm just going to go look around for a second," she said as she left the car to do a closer inspection.

On Halloween, sex offenders can not have up decorations. They must also keep their porch lights off and their blinds closed.

“I just have to make sure you don't have any decorations or anything," she said as she was invited inside one of the offender’s home.

The first four houses didn't have any decorations outside. She also looked inside to make sure there were no candy or Halloween items for kids. During the sweep, she also inspected the home for other potential violations of the offender's parole or probation.

Sex offenders are required to read and sign a set of on October 1st and they must post them inside their door. Other than the warning about orange leaves and flowers, all the Hodge-Burian checked out on Thursday were in compliance.

“I’ll probably see you again tomorrow evening,” she said to one of the offenders as she left his home. Hodge-Burian and her co-workers will complete another check on Halloween, just to make sure nothing has changed. Offenders are required to stay away from parties with children on Halloween, and are required to obey the 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM curfew.

Last year, none of the sex offenders in Knox County violated the Halloween rules. If you go trick-or-treating with your kids, remember not to knock on any door if the home’s lights are off. ..News Source.. by Lauren Davis