The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, will conduct compliance checks of registered sex offenders throughout the Trick-or-Treat season.

The operation is intended to help verify that individuals subject to sex offender registry requirements and applicable supervision conditions are complying with court-ordered restrictions, registration obligations, and other legal requirements.

Compliance checks may include verification of residence, employment, vehicle, and internet identifier information, as well as compliance with conditions restricting contact with minors. During this high-risk period, the Sheriff’s Office and Wisconsin Department of Corrections will increase proactive compliance efforts to ensure supervised offenders are following all applicable conditions, including strict curfews; keeping exterior porch lights off; and refraining from displaying Halloween decorations, distributing candy, or participating in trick-or-treat-related activities.

“Our priority is the safety of children, families, and neighborhoods during Halloween activities,” said Sheriff Martin Schulteis. “These coordinated compliance checks are one of several proactive steps taken to help ensure registered offenders are following the conditions placed upon them.”

The Sheriff’s Office reminds parents and guardians to supervise children during Trick-or-Treat activities, plan routes in familiar neighborhoods, and report suspicious activity or immediate safety concerns by calling 911. If you suspect a registered offender under active state supervision is violating rules, such as participating in Halloween activities, you can also contact the DOC SAFE tip hotline at 1-877-234-0085, active Monday–Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Members of the public may also access Wisconsin sex offender registry information through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections’ Sex Offender Registry website.