News: Press Releases

For Release: November 1, 2006 - Contact: Larry Traylor, (804) 674-3574

DOC Operation Trick No Treat Targets Sex Offenders on Halloween

RICHMOND – Virginia Department of Corrections (DOC) Director Gene Johnson announced another successful implementation of Operation Trick No Treat (TNT) on Halloween night to remove targeted sex offenders from the street while children in the community are trick-or-treating. Probation & Parole Officers across the state supervised known sex offenders while children were trick-or-treating on Tuesday evening, October 31st.

Operation TNT represented a collaborative effort between DOC Community Corrections, State Police, and local law enforcement. Offenders were either required to remain at home with their lights out and not answer the door for trick-or-treaters or they were required to attend a mandatory meeting at a secure location during the evening hours when children were likely to be trick-or-treating.

To ensure offender compliance, DOC Probation and Parole Officers along with law enforcement officers made home visits. If offenders attended organized meetings, they were required to participate in educational sessions and drug and alcohol screening while law enforcement provided custodial searches of offenders and oversight of any existing warrants. State Police also participated by verifying and updating an offender’s registration on the State Police Sex Offender Registry. Offenders were released to return to supervision at the conclusion of the operation after the trick-or-treat curfew had expired.

"Operation Trick No Treat has proven successful and continues to grow across the state due to the close collaboration between local and state authorities,” said Director Johnson. “Our thanks go to the State Police and local law enforcement for making this operation such a success again this year."

As part of the DOC mission to enhance public safety, Operation TNT removed a high-risk population from the community during a time when children could be vulnerable. The goal was "no new victims."

DOC Community Corrections supervises about 54,500 probationers and parolees across the state. Of those, about 3,000 are sex offenders.