On October 31, probation parole officers with the Tennessee Department of Correction will conduct Operation Blackout.
Officers will conduct visits to the homes of sex offenders under TDOC supervision whose convictions involved children. The visits seek to verify compliance with special restrictions put in place during the holiday. Special restrictions prohibit:
*Answering the door to trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Porch lights must remain off and front doors closed.
*Distributing Halloween treats, candy, favors, or gifts to any children, either at their residence or any other home. Offenders may not visit or be present in any residence where these items are being distributed.
*The distribution of treats, candy, favors, or gifts by anyone at the offenders registered place of residence.
*Wearing costumes.
*Having a Halloween party at the offenders’ residence.
*Visiting corn mazes, haunted houses, hayrides, or any other seasonal activities, or attend any function where children are gathered, even if it is a private residence.
There are more than 26,000 registered sex offenders in Tennessee and 5,000 of those people are currently under state supervision. TDOC officers plan to visit the homes of several hundred high-risk sex offenders on Halloween.
