Operation Scarecrow keeps Nevada children safe from predators

In an effort to keep children safe, the Nevada Department of Public Safety-Division of Parole and Probation is conducting their 9th Annual Halloween Operation “Scarecrow” in conjunction with United States Marshals Service’s Operation “Trick Or Treat.”

They are providing enhanced safety for children living in Carson City, Reno, Sparks and Washoe County who may be targeted by sexual predators during the Halloween holiday with their joint task force operation which has been in affect all week.

Officers have been verifying compliance with both sex offender registration requirements and conditions of supervision during Operations Scarecrow and Trick Or Treat.

The objectives of these operations is to ensure there is no contact between Division-supervised sex offenders and children on Halloween by giving specific direction in advance to supervised sex offenders and providing enhanced community supervision to high risk sex offenders and those with minor victims. Supervised sex offenders will not be permitted to participate in any activity which could potentially lure children to or near their residences, to include a restriction that they cannot have home parties or distribute candy to children on Halloween. Additionally, throughout the week preceding Halloween, Parole and Probation and USMS Task Force officers will be contacting Division-supervised sex offenders to verify their compliance with state law registration requirements, ensure they are not engaging in associated holiday activities that could attract children, and to verify compliance with their terms and conditions of supervision.

Throughout the month of October, Division officers have provided supervised sex offenders with written notices of “Offender Halloween Restrictions.” These offenders were instructed to avoid any contact with children during the Halloween holiday and to avoid participation in any Halloween-related festivities involving or potentially involving children. Officers will be conducting home visitations and surveillance to determine offender compliance and to detect any potential violations of the “Offender Halloween Restrictions” provided to them. Officers will make as many contacts as possible over the five day operation. Enforcement action regarding violations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.