News  Massachusetts Probation Officers make unannounced visits to homes of sex offenders Halloween night

Pictured above, from left to right: Police Officer Robert Belsito, Police Officer Tyler Collette, Probation Officer Carlos Villamarin,Probation Officer Timothy Dupree, Police Officer Dyan Patient, Probation Officer Luis Aviles, and Police Officer Frances Bartley.

Probation Officers in Hampden and Worcester counties made unannounced visits to sex offenders on Halloween night to discourage them from interacting with trick or treaters. The Probation Officers checked to make sure the level 2 and 3 sex offenders did not pass out candy, have porch lighting or décor outside of their homes as to attract children to the door. 

Worcester Superior Court Probation Officers and Worcester Police teamed up as part of “Operation Watchdog.” They visited 22 sex offenders in the Worcester area on Halloween night. The collaboration between Superior Court Probation Officers and Worcester Police was first launched 15 years ago in 2008. Worcester Superior Court Chief Probation Officer Raymond Loughlin oversaw the effort for Probation. 

Hampden Superior Court Probation Officers made unannounced visits to the residences of 22 level 2 and level 3 sex offenders on Halloween night, October 31, as part of the Probation-established “Operation Lights Out” initiative. Their goal was to enforce the court-ordered conditions of probation and to ensure that sex offenders do not open their doors to trick or treaters, distribute candy, display decor outside their homes, or turn their porch lights on to attract children to their homes. 

The team of Probation Officers fanned out to Springfield, Holyoke, and  West Springfield. During these visits, the Probation Officers—equipped with Supervision sheets including probationers’ criminal record information, conditions of probation and photos—verified offenders’ current addresses and confirmed that they were in compliance with their probation conditions as set by the court. 

"Operation Watchdog and Operation Lights Out are important public safety initiatives of the Massachusetts Probation Service. The whole purpose is to make sure that those under our supervision are abiding by the conditions of their Probation. It is in their best interest and the interest of the community for these individuals to avoid contact with children," said Acting Commissioner Dianne Fasano. 

The Massachusetts Probation Service’s first Operation Lights Out initiative was introduced in Fall River more than 19 years ago by Probation Officer Michael Borden after he read about a similar effort in the Midwest. Mr. Borden has since retired. 

“When we first started this initiative, I thought it would be important to keep closer track of these probationers on a night that is a special holiday for children. Operation Lights Out gives us the opportunity to collaborate with local law enforcement in keeping children safe,” Borden said.