MESA-- Halloween is a great night to be a kid, but it can also be a tempting time for sex offenders.
While you were dressing your kids up, US Marshals deputies, probation officers and local police, part of a Valley-wide sex offender task force, were making a list of homes to check as part of "Operation Safe Treat."
Kids weren't the only ones knocking on doors this Halloween. The task force made hundreds of checks around the Valley, and arrested one convicted sex offender for violating his probation by making contact with a minor.
The task force makes sure sex offenders aren't turning on their porch lights, decorating or passing out candy, Halloween fun that could spell danger down the road.
"They're able to make that link with the child, and that maybe gets them in contact with them," said US Marshal Deputy Matt Hershey. "They may not offend tonight, but it may establish the relationship to happen later."
Parents who even know there were sex offenders living in their neighborhoods, said the sweeps made them feel more secure.
"I definitely think it's a great idea, keeping the kids safe, because I wouldn't want my kid going and knocking on that door, at all," said Tracy Blanton, who was out trick-or-treating with the kids. "But it also brings awareness to the fact that they're here."
"Operation Safe Treat" started earlier in the week, when officers served warrants and arrested six fugitive sex offenders. Halloween night marked the "compliance" phase, when the task force made sure sex offenders who already served their time, were behaving themselves.
"I hate the fact that it's there," said parent Jonas Rivera, about the danger of sex offenders living in neighborhoods with children. "I love the fact that people are going around and making sure that the ones who shouldn't be out there are going around and making sure that they're staying indoors, staying away."
