Checking This Site Prior to Trick or Treating Can Help Protect Kids from Predators this Halloween

Posted on October 21, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

As Halloween approaches, parents should be aware of the various resources that exist to help keep kids safe from predators while trick or treating.

One way parents can feel safer before heading out next Wednesday is to know which houses to avoid. Each county’s sex and violent offender registry can be accessed online. The database contains information provided by law enforcement agencies all across the country.

The tool allows you to enter in an address, that can be your own residence or someplace you’ll be trick or treating near, such as a school or government building. It then provides a list of offenders in the area as well as details like a picture, full names, descriptions and specific offenses.

However, it’s important to note that registered sex offenders are informed that they’re not permitted to participate in this youth-oriented activity.

For more than a decade the Indiana Department of Corrections has participated in a state-wide initiative called ‘Operation Safe Halloween” as a way to monitor sex offenders and keep them off community streets during the holiday.

IDOC officials report that each year, staff members in the Parole Services Division work with local law enforcement, probation and community corrections agencies to ensure full compliance and accountability.

On October 31st, paroled sex offenders in each of the state’s ten parole districts must adhere to a special curfew and restrictions during scheduled trick or treat hours.

The offenders are required to attend a mandatory meeting, turn in a safety plan for the evening or remain at home without passing out candy. All sex offenders are also subject to unannounced home visits and compliance checks.

To access the registry for sexual and violent offenders, click the link provided above or just visit icrimewatch.net/indiana.

Starke County Sheriff's Office is asking for your help!!

Please help us get "The People's Choice" award thru Indiana Department of Corrections for their Inaugural Garden.

On Facebook, go to Cultivating Community Partnerships with IDOC , scroll down to the People's Choice Award and vote for Starke County PLEASE Vote multiple times!!

Starke County F.A.R.M

In just our 2nd year the Starke County Justice Centers Garden yielded over 4951lbs of produce and close to 900lbs were donated to assisted living facilities and Starke County Council on Aging. The remainder was served in the Justice Center as a supplement to Offender Meals.

The F.A.R.M is an acronym for Fostering A Recovery Mentality. The FARM utilized the skills of many talented and hardworking Offenders and staff. Offender help was supplied by Starke County Inmates as well as DOC Therapeutic Community Offenders. In addition to the 2 gardens, 2 green houses were also constructed with Flowers being grown and distributed to nursing homes and businesses within Starke County free of charge.

The bulk of the produce, around 70% was used within the jail and served as part of their daily meals, the other 30% was donated to local food banks and nursing homes.

At this time of the year we are preparing the greenhouses for winter seedlings of vegetables and flowers to be planted sometime in late January. We can now use our greenhouses to their full capacity.

We will continue to donate to the organizations previously mentioned as well as using the bulk to serve to our inmate population.

This program has been a HUGE positive experience, not only for the offenders but for the staff as well, giving them an opportunity to interact at a different level in a different setting outside the walls of the Justice Center.

Sheriff Bill Dulin