Actually, I didn't realize the law was STATE-WIDE!! I thought it was limited to Erie County.
Sex offenders monitored on Halloween
Updated: Sunday, 01 Nov 2009, 12:46 PM EST
Published : Saturday, 31 Oct 2009, 6:26 PM EDT
* Tricia Cruz
* Posted by: Kate McGowan
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Operation Halloween is a statewide effort that began ten years ago.
Parole officers have a lot of territory to cover.
They will spend eight to nine hours checking in on convicted sex offenders who live in the area.
Parole officers across the state have a busy night ahead of them.
In Buffalo, they will check on more than 100 sex offenders to make sure they're staying away from children.
The Division of Parole told News 4 that most sex offenders can expect weekly visits.
Halloween brings an extra visit with more children being out on the street.
Chief of the New York State Division of Parole, Grant Scriven said, "This is just a special effort on Halloween to try and make sure that the community's a little bit safer and knowing that these offenders are being supervised."
Parole officers even carry a portable breathalyzer with them just to make sure convicted sex offenders haven't been drinking, a parole violation.
"The parole officers have imposed conditions that they be in their residence, that they not participate in Halloween activities, they not hand out candy and they don't open their doors to anyone other than parole officers that come" Scriven also said.
Convicted sex offenders must also be at home from 3 p.m. through 8 a.m. Sunday morning.
If a sex offender isn't home, Scriven said that they would issue a warrant and take them into custody.
Just a reminder, sex offenders are not allowed to have their lights on and they can't have any decorations on their house or apartment.
They're not allowed to wear a costume or give out candy.
If you suspect a convicted sex offender is violating these rules you're urged to call police.
http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/S...oween_20091031