NASHVILLE, Tenn (WTVF) — The Department of Correction is gearing up for its annual Operation Blackout in which officers will be out on Halloween night making sure sex offenders are not handing out candy or decorating their home.
The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) supervises more than 20,000 inmates and nearly 80,000 offenders on community supervision. Nearly 3,500 of those under community supervision are registered sex offenders.
Commissioner Tony Parker wants to use this time to remind offenders there is no participation in Halloween festivities.
"They can’t have decorations and participate, they have to have their porch light turned out, so they don’t even give the appearance that they’re participating in any of these activities that go on during Halloween," said Parker. "We’ve done this every year and we’ll continue to do that to keep the citizens of the state safe."
Parker says officers will be going door to door to make sure thousands of sex offenders are in compliance of the rules.
"This time of year, you have a lot of children, a lot of kids out trick-or-treating. We want to make sure these offenders are in compliance in their supervision standards in what’s allowed and what’s not allowed," said Parker.
During Halloween, sex offenders under TDOC supervision are informed of a very specific set of rules they must follow. They include:
• Being in their homes by 6 p.m.
• Not having any Halloween décor
• Keeping their porch light off
• Not distributing Halloween candy
• Not attending any Halloween functions (Hallelujah Night, Harvest Festivals, etc.)
For a map of sex offenders in your area you can check here.
