Parole Announces Operation Halloween - Press Release

 NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF PAROLE ANNOUNCES ANNUAL OPERATION HALLOWEEN

Sex offenders to be closely monitored during festivities


The New York State Division of Parole today announced plans for the
agency’s annual “Operation Halloween.” This proactive approach is designed
to help protect New York's children and the community during the Halloween
celebration by imposing special conditions on sex offenders that are under
the Division of Parole’s supervision.

“Protecting our children from sex offenders is something that concerns
parents every day. On Halloween in particular, children are going
door-to-door and people are more difficult to recognize,” said Governor
David A. Paterson. “Knowing that sex offenders have been given additional
Halloween restrictions and that parole officers across New York State will
be making unannounced visits to their residences to ensure they are not
opening their doors to trick-or-treaters or handing out candy, can help
ease parents' concerns.”

“Trick-or-treating is an American tradition, but as parents we really have
to consider the potential risks and be on the alert,” said Denise E.
O’Donnell, deputy secretary for public safety. “The Sex Offender Registry
is an important tool that parents can use to find out if there are sex
offenders in their neighborhood, but it is only one tool. Most new sex
offenses are committed by people who are not yet in the registry or under
parole or probation supervision, and most sex offenses against children are
committed by someone the child knows – not by a stranger. My advice to
parents is to examine the Sex Offender Registry, but to also take the
additional precaution of accompanying their children and restricting visits
to homes of people they know and trust.”

"The Division of Parole is responsible for the supervision of nearly 1,800
sex offenders statewide. We understand that the community and especially
parents count on us to help keep their children safe from the sex offenders
that are under our supervision. This is why our officers impose special
conditions, conduct surveillance, and make unannounced home visits and
curfew checks at sex offender’s residences on Halloween. Their efforts
provide an extra level of security that helps parents protect their
children,” Andrea W. Evans, New York State Division of Parole chairwoman
and CEO said.

As part of Operation Halloween the Division of Parole will impose special
restrictions for sex offenders under their supervision on Halloween.
Beginning in the early afternoon on Halloween, or immediately following
dismissal from work or other approved community programs, all sex offender
parolees are to remain in their residence until 6 a.m. the following
morning. Parolees are not to participate in any Halloween activity; not
permitted to wear any costume, mask or other disguise; and cannot open the
door to any minors who are trick-or-treating.

In addition, parolees are required to answer their telephones as parole
officers will be making calls throughout the night and conducting
unannounced curfew visits including using portable DVD players to ensure
that parolees are not in possession of inappropriate CD’s and DVD’s.

"Trick-or-treating puts lots of kids into situations where they are
interacting with strangers, but the prospect of someone preying on a child
is not the kind of frightening Halloween experience parents should have to
worry about. Everyone at the Division of Parole is committed to public
safety, and the work of our officers on October 31 is just one example of
the important work that they do keeping our communities safer all year
round.” Chairwoman Evans concluded.