SALINAS, Calif.- With Halloween only a week away, how well do you know your
neighborhood when it comes to registered sex offenders? We found some tools you need to know about, so
your trick-or-treaters don't walk up to the wrong door.
"Wow, that's pretty scary," said Salinas parent
Alan Hernandez, who didn't know he and his son live only a few blocks away from
several sex offenders. That wasn't until
we asked Hernandez to take a look at a smart phone app showing him exactly
where they're at.
Law enforcement said parents like Hernandez need to know about Operation Boo and a new
online resource to help parents stay informed, put out by the California
Department of Corrections.
"We've
barely moved into a new neighborhood. So
I think we're definitely going to do that," Hernandez.
With Halloween
just one week away, Operation Boo officers will monitor sex offenders, making
sure they follow curfew, don't have any outside lights on and don't hand out
any candy. As for homeless sex
offenders, starting this year they'll be ordered to a set location to be
watched for five hours.
Like most things these days there are tons of apps parents
can download on their smart phone to help ensure their kid is safe. So as you take your kids down the sidewalk,
house to house, you'll know where a sex offender lives before you even get
there. If you don't have a smart phone,
the online parent guide connects you helpful advice, like how to talk about sex
offenders with your kids.
"We haven't really gone trick or treating. He was too young to go. So I think this year we're definitely gonna
go out now," Hernandez said.
There are almost 92,000 sex offenders in California and the Department of Corrections said only 11% are monitored by parole officers.
