News  Hampden Superior Court Probation Officers participate in annual Operation Lights Out Halloween initiative

Hampden Superior Court Probation Officers made unannounced visits to the residences of 15-20 level 2 and level 3 sex offenders and individuals convicted of sex crimes on Halloween evening in Springfield as part of the Massachusetts Probation Service-established “Operation Lights Out” initiative.

The goal is to enforce the court-ordered conditions of probation and to also ensure that sex offenders do not open their doors to trick-or-treaters, according to Rosa Maldonado-Brown, Hampden Superior Court Chief Probation Officer, who oversees this annual effort. The participating Probation Officers included Roy Weldon, Kerry-Ann Crichton, and Megan Fettes.

“The PO’s visited those areas with high pedestrian traffic and/or where we have high volume of registered sex offenders residing.  We hope that by fostering community vigilance we can create a safer Halloween environment for our local children,” said Chief Maldondo-Brown.

During these visits, the Probation Officers were equipped with supervision sheets including probationers’ criminal record information, conditions of probation and photos. They verified offenders’ current addresses and confirmed that they were in compliance with their probation conditions as set by the court.

Chief Maldonado-Brown said the Probation Officers made visits in the areas of East Springfield, Forest Park, Sixteen Acres, West Springfield, Chicopee and Holyoke.