Deputies, Probation & Parole Officers Conducting Sexual Predator/Offender Checks On Halloween

Date Added: October 31, 2017 10:47 am

Andrew Gant
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

DEPUTIES, PROBATION & PAROLE OFFICERS CONDUCTING SEXUAL PREDATOR/OFFENDER CHECKS ON HALLOWEEN

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office Career Criminal Unit in conjunction with the state Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Office will conduct individual Sexual Predator and Sexual Offender checks during tonight's Halloween celebration.

The operation will take place in all 13 municipalities and all unincorporated areas of Volusia County this evening. There are in excess of 200 locations.

Probation conditions that are being verified include:

(1) The Sexual Predator/Offender may not participate in the holiday celebration by having lights or decorations which attract or lure children to the home.

(2) The Sexual Predator/Offender may not participate in the holiday celebration by wearing a costume.

(3) The Sexual Predator/Offender may not participate in the holiday celebration by giving or handing out candy or toys.

Sexual Offenders and Sexual Predators not currently on probation, conditional release, or house arrest may participate in the Halloween festivities. Florida State Statutes (s. 943.0435 and s. 775.21) does not prevent Sexual Offenders/Sexual Predators from participating in the holidays festivities, rather only covers residency and certain travel restrictions.

Parents and children participating in the Halloween festivities are encouraged to research their neighborhoods where they are likely to patronize for all known residences of sexual predators and sexual offenders within those neighborhoods. They may do so by accessing the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office home page, click on “Resources” and then “Florida Sexual Offender Registry.” They also may call the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Career Criminal Unit at (386) 248-1788 for assistance in this endeavor.

If anyone witnesses an incident involving an individual or a known Sexual Offender/Predator attempting to lure or having contact with a child during this holiday celebration, please contact 911 immediately or report the contact or incident to your local law enforcement agency.