INDIANAPOLIS -- For the 15th year in a row, the Marion Superior Court Probation Department’s "Operation Halloween" will keep registered sex offenders off the streets during trick-or-treating in Marion County.
As part of the operation, all paroled sex offenders who have no-contact orders with children must adhere to a special curfew and restrictions during
The program is in effect across several counties in Indiana and requires offenders to attend a mandatory meeting, turn in a safety plan for Halloween night or remain at home and not pass out candy.
The exact times of the 2017 meetings vary by location and coincide with the local trick-or-treat times. For safety reasons, the locations of these meetings will not be released.
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Sex offenders who remain home during trick-or-treating hours are advised to turn off their outside lights during the evening hours and refrain from displaying Halloween decorations. Some sex offenders will even post signs that say they are not participating in passing out candy.
All sex offenders are subject to unannounced home visits and compliance checks.
Facts and Statistics about Operation Halloween
In 2017, 134 sex offenders under supervision with Marion Superior Court Probation Department, Marion County Community Corrections and U.S. Federal Probation attended the meeting.
This year’s event includes partnerships with these same agencies, IMPD and the and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Operation Halloween is for convicted adult sex offenders who have no-contact orders with children; juvenile offenders are not required to attend.
There are approximately 160 offenders expected to attend the event who have active no-contact orders with children.
Any Marion County supervised probationer excused from tonight’s meeting has provided verification (which has been confirmed) for purpose of absence (i.e. employment, medical issues).
Teams of Probation Officers will be dispatched to locate any Probationers who fail to attend as expected or to confirm those who have been excused from the meeting.
The agenda will consist of general information concerning services available for offenders with criminal histories, housing and employment assistance, law enforcement registration information and updates, and insurance options.
The Marion Superior Court Probation Department is the Operation Halloween organizer for Marion County only. Halloween-related restrictions for convicted, registered sex offenders are determined by individual county law enforcement officials.