Supervised offenders to be targeted on Halloween

While trick-or-treaters dressed as pop-culture idols and horror-show characters roam neighborhoods in search of Halloween sweets, the Division of Parole and Probation will be checking in on about 30 supervised sex offenders in the Carson-Douglas area to make sure they aren't passing out candy or having any contact with children.

Lt. James Richardson, commander for the division's Carson City and Fallon field offices, said the offenders, chosen by a set of criteria but especially for a "no contact with children" condition in their parole or probation, already have been informed of the special restrictions for Halloween.

The agency's Operation Scarecrow program, in its eighth year, is mainly for prevention, but those on parole or probation have been arrested in past years for drinking or participating in festivities that brought them too close to children, Richardson said.