Halloween 2016: How to Search the Tennessee Sex Offender Map

NASHVILLE, TN -- Tennessee's Department of Corrections will lead a new round of "Operation Blackout" this Halloween. The statewide law enforcement effort makes sure sex offenders follow guidelines for the holiday.

Hundreds of teams of state probation parole officers work with local law enforcement to saturate communities across the state, conducting random visits and compliance checks through Nov. 1. Last year, the parole officers conducted more than 3,000 checks on sex offenders during Operation Blackout.

“The safety of Tennessee neighborhoods is our number one priority, and we work daily to ensure offenders are in compliance,” said Corrections Commissioner Tony Parker. “Operation Blackout enhances that work and sends a message to offenders that we will do whatever is necessary to protect our children and our communities.”

Seasonal restrictions for sex offenders include remaining in their homes between the hours of 6 p.m.-6 a.m. on Halloween. They have to keep porch lights off and not answer the door during trick-or-treating - only opening the door for law enforcement. They can't display fall decorations, dress in costumes or attend fall festivals.

The Nashville Scene points to questions about whether monitoring convicted sex offenders is the best use of resources on Halloween. Often, sexual predators aren't strangers and there's not evidence that convicted sex offenders are more dangerous on Halloween.

If not applicable on the trick-or-treat trail, Halloween also offers Tennessee residents a reminder that they can use the state's search tool to learn about sex offenders in their community.

Using tnmap.tn.gov, residents can search an address and find sex offenders in a 1- to 5-mile radius. They can also search by the offender's name. Results include an address, photo, offenses and more information.

Top image via Patch