JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – This Halloween, probation and parole officers from the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) will launch Operation Blackout, an initiative aimed at bolstering public safety and safeguarding children during trick-or-treating activities.

As part of this statewide effort, TDOC will monitor over 500 high-profile sex offenders, restricting them from distributing Halloween candy, decorating their homes, or illuminating their porch lights on Halloween night.

Chris Hansen, Assistant Commissioner of Community Supervision, explained that the operation is directly managed by TDOC and involves conducting house inspections and ongoing surveillance.

“Our teams are consistently active in communities,” Hansen stated. “We regularly search homes, conduct walkthroughs, and frequently engage with sex offenders. However, Halloween presents unique challenges. It’s a day when children are encouraged to knock on unfamiliar doors, something we usually advise against all year. This is the sole occasion when they are permitted to do so and accept candy from strangers.”

Hansen emphasized that Operation Blackout prioritizes the safety of children on what is considered one of their most vulnerable nights of the year.

Hansen said that since the rules for Operation Blackout are communicated with sex offenders ahead of time, there’s a very low non-compliance rate.

“Less than 5% [do not comply],” he said. “I think we might have arrested one or two last year. It’s very low because they know we’re out. They know we’re going to check on them. They know when we’re done, we might drive by again. We keep up constant monitoring.”

Hansen advises all parents to check the sex offenders list before heading out on Halloween to plan routes ahead of time.

“The registry is great,” he said. “It’s a good tool. I recommend that for every parent, even beyond Halloween, they should look at this when their kids go to sleepovers or other events when they’re away from parents. I always go back to the spidey sense. If the spidey sense goes, stay away. It’s just not worth it.”

Hansen also advises parents to remain aware and with their children at all times and avoid any house with no lights or decorations.