The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is bringing back “Operation Candy Sweep” on Halloween night to monitor approximately 300 sexual predators and offenders who reside in Marion County.
During tonight’s operation, which is in partnership with the Ocala Police Department and Department of Corrections, law enforcement officers will check on all sexual predators and offenders who are on probation or parole to ensure that they are not celebrating Halloween. Their lights must remain off on Halloween, no decorations are permitted outside their residence, and they are unable to give out any candy.
To help trick-or-treaters in Marion County avoid any homes belonging to registered sexual predators and offenders, the community can visit the Marion County Sheriff’s Office ‘sex offenders’ webpage.
MCSO detectives will also be visiting Halloween events throughout Marion County to ensure that sexual predators and offenders are not in attendance.
On its Facebook webpage, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office offered a safety tip for parents this Halloween: “Do not trick-or-treat at a house that doesn’t have its lights on. It could be that the residents don’t celebrate Halloween, are out of candy, or it could be a sexual predator/offender.”