Sheriff Conducts Halloween Sex Offender Checks In DuPage County

WHEATON, IL — Halloween should be a fun, carefree time, but for many parents trick-or-treating is unfortunately leads to a heightened fear of child sex predators. To help children feel safe this Halloween, the DuPage County Sheriff's Office will employ its special task force SPEAR (Sexual Predator Enforcement and Registration) team to ensure that registered sex offenders are complying with the rules of the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act.

Sex offenders are prohibited from passing out Halloween candy, toys, and treats and from wearing a Halloween costume in a public place. These offenders are also prohibited from wearing any other costume related to children, such as Santa Clause or the Easter Bunny.

SPEAR was started in 2005 as a nationwide effort to monitor sex offenders and make sure they abide by the conditions of their registration. In DuPage County and throughout the country, 250 SPEAR units will take part in residential checks of registered sex offenders, the DuPage County Sheriff's Office said in a release.

In a statement, Undersheriff Frank Bibbiano said, "I encourage you to utilize our website so you and your children have a fun and worry free Halloween. If you encounter a possible violation by a sex offender, please dial 911 to report it immediately.”

>>Image via Pixabay