Maricopa County works to keep trick-or-treaters safe for Halloween
Oct 31, 2018, 3:35 PM
(Pexels photo)
(Pexels photo)
PHOENIX — Officials in Maricopa County are stepping up efforts to keep trick-or-treaters safe this Halloween.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has been working closely with the U.S. Marshals Office, local police departments and adult probation officers over the last few weeks to prepare for Halloween and properly execute what is being called “Operation Safe Treat.”
Attorney Bill Montgomery said the operation “sends officers out to the community before and on Halloween, specifically focusing on finding sex offenders who are fugitives or who have warrants out for their arrests.
“(Officials) also ensure registered sex offenders on supervised probation are not participating in Halloween activities that would be in violation of the terms and conditions of their probation,” he added.
The Halloween activities that could land a sex offender back behind bars include having decorations outside their home or handing out candy to trick-or-treaters.
Since starting Operation Safe Treat in 2015, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has identified and arrested several high-profile and dangerous offenders.
This yearly partnership has just been honored by the National Association of Counties with an achievement award.
