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The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
The Tennessee Department of Corrections held their annual “Operation Blackout” in October in an effort to protect children over the Halloween weekend.
Throughout the month, corrections officers went door-to-door, completing unannounced compliance checks on sex offenders in various communities.
Registered sex offenders are not allowed to display Halloween decorations or give out candy. They are required to keep their porch lights turned off on Halloween night and are not allowed to attend any Halloween or Fall related activities.
TDOC Commissioner Tony Parker said, “While we hope these folks are doing what they are supposed to, it is our job to confirm it. As a father, I am appreciative of these officers canvasing our communities to ensure everyone has a safe, enjoyable night.”
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Davidson County had 14 TDOC officers working to check up on these sex offenders. Officers were looking for a failure to comply with rules regarding Halloween participation, as well as more serious violations.
“We’re looking for drugs, we’re looking for weapons, we’re looking for if there’s any child pornography,” said Specialized Caseloads Corrections Administrator Susan Siedentop. “Any evidence that they’ve had contact with a child that they weren’t authorized to have contact with.”
This year, every sex offender’s house was visited before Halloween and officers did checks during trick-or-treating activities as well. Of the 3901 individuals checked, 22 sex offenders were arrested for violations such as drugs, weapons, or failure to comply with the sex offender registry guidelines.
While the operation specifically checks on offenders during the Halloween season, TDOC encourages parents to be aware of the sex offenders who are in the neighborhood all year round.
They note that most sex offenders knew their victims and most don’t offend a second time, but they recommend that all parents be proactive in protecting their children.
“The majority of them are very compliant, but the best way to ensure no more victims is to educate parents and children. I’m a mom, I have four kids, I have two grandkids, and so I do understand that you want to make sure your kids are out there and safe,” Siedentop said.
The state recently unveiled their new, “overhauled” sex offender registry online. Residents can view sex offender profiles on the site, as well as view map data, sign up for email alerts, and find safety tips.
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Directory for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
