COOK COUNTY, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Law enforcement agencies will be keeping tabs Sunday on convicted sex offenders as children go out for trick-or-treating.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office has been making contact for the past few months with the 101 convicted sex offenders in unincorporated Cook County and Ford Heights, according to Sheriff’s Detectives Commander Jim Davis.
“We do an unscheduled address verification meaning they don’t know that we’re coming over to their residence," he said.
"We conduct the address check and then we hand them a piece of paper with the Halloween date and time and where we’re requesting them to report to on Halloween day.”
On Halloween, the sex offenders must show up to the sheriff’s Maywood office to re-register and update their photos.
They’re also reminded of the rules regarding sex offenders, particularly child sex offenders. “Child sex offenders cannot participate in handing out candy or any type of holiday in regards to children under 18,” Davis said.
He said parents need to do their part, too.
The commander suggests that, “Prior to going out trick or treating, you can go on the Illinois sex offender web site. Check your area to where your sex offenders reside. We just want the parents to keep a watchful eye on their little ones.”
Davis said that if a parent feels something is not right, they should call 9-1-1 and let police sort out things.
Meanwhile, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said extra deputy details will be out on Halloween to ensure sex offenders are complying with the law.
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