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Each year, law enforcement agencies pay closer attention for the safety of children during Halloween, but you may not even know they’re out there. The low-key operation is conducted by the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Probation and Parole as compliance checks are conducted on individuals on the state’s Registered Sex Offender list. Sheriff Matt Spence confirmed his department’s participation in an email to WHBL radio.
The measure isn’t unique to Sheboygan County; most Wisconsin counties also participate in the operation that’s intended to help verify that individuals subject to sex offender registry requirements are complying with court-ordered restrictions, registration obligations and other legal requirements. That could include verification of residence, employment, vehicle, and internet identifier info, as well as compliance with conditions restricting contact with minors.
The operation may be low-key, but it will be extensive, as an online check of the State’s Sex Offender Registry showed no fewer than 267 registered offenders living within the City of Sheboygan alone.
The State Department of Corrections said they’ll be making sure that those listed keep exterior porch lights out, refrain from displaying Halloween decorations, distributing candy, or participating in Trick-or-Treat-related activities.
If you suspect a registered offender under active state supervision is violating rules (such as participating in Halloween activities), you can contact the DOC SAFE tip hotline at 1-877-234-0085(active Monday–Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM).
Members of the public may also access Wisconsin sex offender registry information through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections’ Sex Offender Registry website.
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