Department of Corrections to Monitor Sex Offenders on Halloween

The Virginia Department of Corrections announced Wednesday they will be "monitoring sex offenders under probation and parole through supervision on Halloween night while children are trick-or-treating." 

The agency operates Operation Porch Lights Out, which requires offenders to either stay home with their lights out and not answer the door for trick-or-treaters or to attend a meeting at a secure location during the evening, according to a news release from VADOC. 

According to VADOC:

"To ensure offender compliance, consistent with their supervisory responsibilities, VADOC Probation and Parole Officers along with State Police and local law enforcement will make random home visits.

"If offenders attend organized meetings, they are required to participate in educational sessions and drug and alcohol screening while law enforcement provides oversight of any existing warrants. The Virginia State Police will verify and update each offender’s registration on the State Police Sex Offender Registry."

Residents may look up registered sex offenders through the Virginia State Police database here.