LAVERGNE, TN (WSMV) -
La Vergne police made a surprising visit to sex offenders in their city, warning them not to participate in Halloween activities Wednesday night. It's an effort to keep trick-or-treaters safe.
It's a day for kids and adults to transform themselves into something or someone else, hoping to snag a sweet treat. And on this Halloween, La Vergne police are hoping to keep the little ghosts and goblins safe from sex offenders.
"Chances are everyone is going to have someone in their neighborhood on the registry," said La Vergne police Detective Bob Hayes.
That's why the department has launched Operation TNT.
"Treats No Tricks," police Chief Mike Walker said.
Wednesday morning officers conducted knock and talks with registered sex offenders reminding them not to take part in Halloween.
"Advising them of the consequences if they violate the restrictions placed on them by the law," Walker said.
Last weekend at the Trial of Treats at Veterans Memorial Park about 2,000 people attended. An officer spotted Yoel Pineda, 41, in the crowd. He was convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl in California.
"An officer went to him and escorted (him) out because it's a city park and shouldn't be there," the chief said.
The city has posted the sex offenders on their website and is encouraging residents to take a look and skip those houses while out trick-or-treating.
"We don't know if these offenders will re-offend, and we want to prevent that," said Walker.
Police really want to get the message across to the sex offenders where their victims were juveniles.
"If they are still on probation or parole, they cannot dress up in a costume, they can't decorate their house; they cannot open their doors to trick-or-treaters."
To see the full list of registered sex offenders living in LaVergne you can click on the following link:
http://www.lavergnetn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Halloween-Composite.pdf
To view and search the Tennessee sex offender registry, visit: http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/sex_ofender_reg/sex_ofender_reg.shtml.
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