The Lubbock Police Department is partnering with the Lubbock County probation department as well as the parole department to assure that neighborhoods are safe for Halloween. Given that Halloween is a unique holiday where children interact with strangers on a door to door basis, registered sex offenders in the county have certain rules they have to follow. Steven Henderson, Director of The Adult Probation Department said the offenders have to report to a location from 6 to 9 PM.
“We decided it would be better if we brought them to an undisclosed location to provide them with education and updates,” said Henderson. “Have them interact with not only therapists but also the police department and our officers on a different level.”
Offenders on parole in the county are required to turn off their lights at 5: 00 PM, and stay inside their home until 5:00 AM. The parole officers will then go to each of their homes, to check on them. The Lubbock Police Department said they have 28 ‘high risk’ sex offenders they will be checking on tonight. Probation officer, Adam Puckett said certain offenders have specific orders that state they cannot come in contact with any children.
“It’s usually the indecency with a child, sex crimes against a child,” said Puckett. “We have some people that have committed sexual crimes against adults therefore they will not have the same term.”
After the offenders report to the undisclosed location, the department said they will have various presentations going over how to register, as well as therapy. If offenders don’t show up, director Steven Henderson said they could be facing serious jail time. Although keeping a close eye, Henderson said they haven’t had a problem with Halloween night in the past.
“Most sex offenders want to keep a very low profile and they know that over Halloween and those kinds of times they are under a lot of scrutiny,” said Henderson. “So they are going to do everything they can to not raise awareness about their presence.”
