Department of Correction supervises sex offenders on Halloween

JACKSON, Tenn. —  The Tennessee Department of Correction was supervising more than 3,800 registered sex offenders in the City of Jackson on Halloween night.

TDOC launches a special operation this time of year called, “Operation Blackout,” aimed at enhancing public safety for all Tennesseans, including the most vulnerable citizens, the children.

During Halloween, sex offenders under TDOC supervision have specific rules they must follow. They must be at home by 6 p.m., no Halloween decorations in front of home, and their porch lights must be off.

“Public safety is number one. With TDOC, that’s our main goal. We’re out in the community looking at our high-risk sex offenders, ensuring they’re in compliance with their special conditions, their rules of supervision, their fall festival and Halloween rules, and we’re following up with any non-compliance,” said TDOC Probation and Parole Officer Zachary Langston.

Officers drive to many neighborhoods for 11 days leading up to Halloween.

Langston says this is not only important for the safety of children, but for all citizens in Jackson.

“The importance is, we’re trying to ensure our public safety in the community during a family friendly event. Trick-or-treating is a big deal in the community,” Langston said.

If a sex offender is caught violating these rules, there are consequences.

“Well at that point for the minor violations, we start the sanctioning process. For anything that is a Sex Offender Registry violation, we’ll call in local law enforcement to make the arrest,” said Officer Craig Seccia, with TDOC Probation and Parole.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officers with TDOC have taken extra safety precautions.

Precautions include wearing KN-95 masks underneath cloth masks, wearing double layered disposable gloves that are changed out after each encounter, wearing CDC recommended outerwear, social distancing and sanitizing between visits.