Seven Violations Found and One Arrest Made in Halloween Safety Operation Targeting Registered Offenders

Image by S Jason Cole

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. (Oct. 31, 2024) – On Halloween night, the Excelsior Springs Police Department took action to safeguard the community with a coordinated effort to monitor known sex offenders during Halloween. Officers conducted “Operation No-Glow,” a concentrated patrol designed to ensure that individuals on the sex offender registry complied with Missouri statute 589.426. This law restricts certain actions on Halloween night, including the display of porch lights and any interaction with children, to enhance public safety. ESPD officers visited approximately 40 residences, checking that the individuals in question were home, had their lights off, and had no contact with trick-or-treaters, as required by law.

Holidays like Halloween present a unique risk, as sex offenders may attempt to exploit the increased interactions with children in neighborhood settings. Many parents are unaware that Halloween, while a night of fun and festivities, can also attract predators who might see the occasion as an opportunity to violate restrictions. Halloween-specific laws, like Missouri’s statute 589.426, help minimize these risks by legally requiring offenders to disengage from all Halloween activities, reducing the chance of unwanted interactions with children. By implementing “Operation No-Glow,” ESPD aimed to enforce these boundaries and increase public confidence in the safety of holiday celebrations.

“We know other agencies, like Clay County, were conducting similar operations, but this was an independent effort by our team,” said Lieutenant Ryan Dowdy. “The violations we found included offenders having their porch lights on, not being home as required, and, in a few cases, even handing out candy. Our goal with this operation was to prioritize the safety of children and provide peace of mind for families in Excelsior Springs.”

The operation led to the discovery of seven violations, which officers documented and will forward to the prosecutor for possible charges. In addition to these cases, ESPD arrested one offender who had an active federal warrant. This individual had been sought by the U.S. Marshals earlier in the week, and his arrest added a feeling of definite success for officers involved in the operation.

Further details regarding the individual arrested during Operation No-Glow will be released as they become available, pending investigation and coordination with federal authorities. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to stay informed by checking the Missouri Highway Patrol’s Sex Offender Registry, which provides updated information on registered offenders across the state. The registry can be accessed online at Missouri Highway Patrol’s Sex Offender Registry.

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