Knock and Talks: Sheriff's Office Keeping Kids Safe for Trick-or-Treat

According to a press release from the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office:

The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin Department of Corrections Probation and Parole, US Marshals Service and police departments in Milwaukee, West Allis, and West Milwaukee have partnered to ensure the safety of children as they go door to door through neighborhoods in Milwaukee County collecting Halloween treats.

On Oct. 30, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., combined law enforcement teams will conduct “Knock and Talks” at residences of known sex offenders and serve warrants on sex offenders who have not registered with the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry.  

During the “Knock and Talks,” officers will enforce and confirm that sexual predators are in compliance with the Halloween guidelines set forth by the DOC. 

The Halloween rules for sex offenders are as follows:

• During any trick-or-treating in their neighborhood, the sex offender will remain in their residence one hour prior to and one hour following Halloween activities.
• The home/apartment may not be decorated for Halloween – this includes both the inside and outside of the residence.
• The home/apartment must not have a lighted porch (or any indication that the residence is participating in Halloween activities.)
• No distribution of candy at place of residence.
• No possession of any costume or pieces of costume used for Halloween.
• No participation in any activity related to Halloween and/or trick or treat activities; this includes visiting haunted house sites.

Last year, deputies knocked on 162 doors of registered sex offenders. Twelve sex offenders were arrested for violation of their probation and parole conditions. In addition, six arrest warrants were issued for probation and parole non-compliance for offenders who were not home.

Milwaukee County Sheriff’s detectives have already begun to locate and arrest sex offenders with arrest warrants and for failure to register with the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry.