Halloween checks find most offenders in compliance

November 8, 2008 - 9:38am

Teams of police officers and agents with the state Division of Parole and Probation stopped by 50 residences Halloween night to ensure that area sex offenders weren't interacting with children collecting candy.

They liked what they found -- 47 of the offenders had "no candy" signs posted. As instructed, they weren't opening their doors.

Authorities are following up with the three others they couldn't locate Oct. 31.

Those three could face sanctions, but that hasn't been determined, said George V. Kirk, field supervisor of the Frederick field office of the Division of Parole and Probation.

Some might have been working; agents are checking the situations out.

Kirk was one of five agents paired with city police officers and county sheriff's deputies for the Halloween initiative. Lee Burker, Kendall Ridgley, Sherri Robinson and Hilari Young also went along for the ride.

Robinson teamed up with Deputy First Class Kevin Eyler to visit residences in Ijamsville, Mount Airy, Walkersville and Frederick.

"It makes me happy that I had no issues whatsoever," Robinson said of their five stops. "I made it very clear what would be happening Halloween night. I reminded them we would be stopping by."

The night before Halloween, teams made preliminary visits to 57 homes.

Those Robinson visited were extremely receptive.

"I think they care very much about what members of society think," she said.

"They want to be better citizens and do what they need to be doing to follow the law."

Rounding out the effort were Cpl. Greg Stocksdale and Detective Gene Alston from the Frederick Police Department, and Detectives Michael Davies and Chris Smith from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.

Brandy Shafer of the sheriff's office and Krissie Smith-Alvey of parole and probation provided organizational assistance.

Kirk found the initiative beneficial to the community.

Having five additional police vehicles patrolling the streets is a good thing.

"Even if we can prevent one person from being victimized, the operation is worth it," Kirk said.