31 arrests were made during a compliance sweep of registered sex offenders in Los Angeles County conducted by the county’s probation department in preparation for Halloween 2020 as a part of Operation Safe Halloween.
Since 2010, Operation Safe Halloween has seen the probation department’s Special
Contraband found during the 2020 Operation Safe Halloween sweep. Photo courtesy of County of Los Angeles Probation Department.
Enforcement Operations (SEO) teams conduct sweeps of homes and vehicles inhabited by probationers with past child endangerment convictions from mid-September to the end of October each year to ensure child safety during Halloween.
“We do this program like any search,” said Supervising Deputy Probation Officer Steven Howell. “We check every room. We go in the backyard; we check sheds and outlying structures. We even check under houses to make sure there’s nobody under there.”
SEO teams search for probation violations such as possession of illegal drugs, weapons or child pornography.
This year, SEO units searched 239 homes and 58 vehicles, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of drugs including marijuana and methamphetamine, 28 firearms, 4,161 rounds of ammunition and other contraband including knives and body armor.
Weapons and ammunition seized during Operation Safe Halloween 2020. Photo courtesy of the County of Los Angeles Probation Department.
Computers, hard drives and cell phones were also seized during Operation Safe Halloween searches.
Before the sweeps begin, probationers are reminded of the conditions of their probations by the L.A. County Probation Department.
Sex offenders are not allowed to associate with minors or put up decorations in or outside of their homes on the days leading up to and including Halloween. Probationers are also barred from using porch lights or handing out candy or toys.
“That’s the purpose of this program,” added Howell. “To make sure that they’re not involved in any types of activities that involve minors during Halloween. We’re ensuring that children are safe during the holiday season.”
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