Operation Boo tips help teach families about dangerous adult behavior
SACRAMENTO – On Halloween night, parole agents and their law enforcement partners will keep a watchful eye on sex offenders who are actively on parole during the 24th annual Halloween children’s safety project, Operation Boo. However, parents should be aware that only about 12 percent of all known sex offenders in California are active parolees under the supervision of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO). Families also need to be aware that most cases of child molestation are not committed by strangers, but rather by family members or close family friends. That’s why family communication is key to keeping children safe – not just on Halloween, but all the time.
Beginning today, the media is invited to partner with CDCR in spreading the word about how parents and guardians can teach children how to spot and avoid potential sexual molestation of children by using Boo Tips, a parent empowerment brochure. CDCR is again promoting a free, online and downloadable brochure with helpful information and links for parents that includes:
- How to share a fun and non-threatening Halloween activity with their children that allows for discussion of dangerous behavior in adults.
- Tips by well-known organizations and experts for discussing personal safety for children.
- Internet links to help survey the community, pinpoint where sex offenders live, and chart a trick-or-treating course that steers clear of sex offenders’ homes.
Background Information
CDCR has been conducting Operation Boo throughout California on Halloween night since 1994. State-supervised child molesters are ordered to abide by special conditions of parole on Halloween night that include:
- A 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew during which parolees must remain indoors;
- A ban on exterior lights switched on at their homes (to discourage children from approaching);
- A ban on offering Halloween candy or posting Halloween decorations;
- Sex-offender parolees may not open the door except to respond to law enforcement, such as parole agents checking compliance.
In many cases, spot compliance checks are conducted at sex-offender parolees’ homes to ensure nothing illegal is occurring.
Media Ride-Along Deadline: Tomorrow
Per a prior news advisory, the deadline for media registration for media ride-alongs with the parole units is tomorrow, Tuesday, October 24 at 5 p.m.
Spots are limited and vary by region.
Halloween Night Transient Sex Offender Monitoring
Since some sex offenders are homeless, special curfew centers will be set up in several parole districts. In those areas, transient sex offenders will be ordered to report to those centers and spend the curfew under supervision. Some centers will be part of the Halloween night media tours.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2017
Ride-along Reg. Deadline:
Tomorrow- October 24, 5pm
CONTACT: Luis Patino (916) 445-4950
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