Checks reveal steep drop in sex offender Halloween violations
Checks reveal steep drop in sex offender Halloween violations
11/06/2024
A check of Clay County's registered sex offenders on Halloween night showed a significant drop in the number of violations compared to last year.
Operation Lights Out is the annual check-in our Sex Offender Registration and Enforcement Unit leads on Halloween to ensure offenders are abiding by the law. While a court ruling found it was unconstitutional to require sex offenders to post a "no candy" sign, all other regulations were in place this year on Oct. 31:
- No Halloween-related activity with children
- Outside lights out after 5:30 p.m.
With the help of numerous police departments, law enforcement was able to check on about 70% of the approximately 460 registered sex offenders in Clay County. Fewer than 10 did not comply with the rules, and they all had forgotten they'd left their porch lights on. None was handing out candy. That's a 50% reduction from last year, which significantly reduces the potential contact between children and sex offenders.
The following police departments participated in Operation Lights Out, and the Sheriff's Office is grateful for their assistance:
Excelsior Springs
Gladstone
Kearney
Liberty
Kansas City Missouri
North Kansas City
Smithville
If you have information about a registered sex offender that is violating Missouri regulations - not just on Halloween - you can submit it here.
Subscribe to news releases and never miss an update.