Local Sheriff's Departments Conducting Sex Offender Checks for Halloween

The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office Apprehension Unit and Criminal Investigative Unit, Wisconsin Department of Corrections Probation and Parole, US Marshal’s Service and police departments in Milwaukee and West Allis have partnered to ensure the safety of children as they go door to door through neighborhoods in Milwaukee County collecting Halloween treats.

On Sunday, October 30, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, combined law enforcement teams will conduct “Knock and Talks” at residences of known sex offenders and serve warrants on sex offenders who have not registered with the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry. 

During the “Knock and Talks,” officers will enforce and confirm that sexual predators are in compliance with the Halloween guidelines set forth by the DOC:

• During any trick-or-treating in their neighborhood, the sex offender will remain in their residence one hour prior to and one hour following Halloween activities.
• The home/apartment may not be decorated for Halloween – inside or outside.
• The home/apartment must not have a lighted porch (or any indication that the residence is participating in Halloween activities.)
• No distribution of candy at place of residence.
• No possession of any costume or pieces of costume used for Halloween.
• No participation in any activity related to Halloween and/or trick or treat activities; this includes visiting haunted house sites.

Last year, checks were conducted on 174 registered sex offenders, and eight sex offenders were arrested for violation of their probation and parole conditions, including:

• Babysitting a two-year-old neighbor, unauthorized contact with minor (2 subjects)
• Children’s items in residence (2 subjects)
• Unauthorized computers or cell phones with internet access/camera (3 subjects)
• Halloween items displayed (1 subject)

Milwaukee County Sheriff’s detectives conducted warrant sweeps over the past two weeks to locate and arrest sex offenders with arrest warrants and for failure to register with the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry.

Walworth County Sheriff's Office will also conduct similar checks on October 29, 30 and 31. This cooperative effort between the Department of Corrections – Division of Community Corrections and law enforcement will take place during the hours of Halloween trick-or-treating in neighborhoods throughout the county. The teams, comprised of law enforcement officers and Probation-Parole Agents, will be making home visits at the residences of known sex offenders who are on active supervision to ensure that they are in compliance with applicable laws and rules. 

Any sex offenders who are found to be in violation of the terms of their supervision will face sanctions which may include incarceration in jail or prison.

Operation Trick or Treat team members also wish to remind county residents to follow these rules while going door to door trick or treating:

• Never enter the home of a person offering candy.
• Children should be chaperoned while walking up to each home.
• Do not eat any candy until it can be inspected at home after trick or treating.
• Use the sidewalks and crosswalks – do not run across the road or between parked cars.
• Wear light colored clothing and use reflective clothing and flashlights wherever possible.
• Report any suspicious activity to your local police department immediately.