Press Release  Worcester Superior Probation Officers join with local police to keep children Safe on Halloween as part of “Operation Watchdog”

Massachusetts — Worcester Superior Court Probation Officers and Worcester Police will team up on Halloween night as part of “Operation Watchdog,” which entails visits to the homes of sex offenders on probation to warn them against opening their doors to trick or treaters.

This collaboration between Superior Court Probation Officers and the Worcester Police was first launched 10 years ago in 2008. Worcester Superior Assistant Chief Probation Officer Anthony J. Gigliotti is overseeing this effort for Probation. Gigliotti and Probation Officers Timothy Dupree, Luis Aviles, and Megan Fettes are part of the Probation team.

“Operation Watchdog is a great opportunity for us to be out in the community on an evening where there is such a high number of children out trick or treating. We will confirming that sex offenders on probation do not have Halloween decorations up and that they are not handing out candy to a vulnerable population. Our goal with this initiative is to help protect the children in our community while holding sex offenders accountable at the same time. The community appreciates seeing us out, being proactive and visible with our partners from the Worcester Police Department,” said Gigliotti.

Worcester Police Sergeant Donna Bresette said of Operation Watchdog, “Our intent is to visit over 100 houses with both Superior & District Probation Officers. We have been doing this for many years and have had great success with it. Some offenders are expecting us, others are not. We have found it to be a great way to keep them in check.”

Operation Watchdog is one of a number of public safety efforts Probation Officers are playing an integral role in on Halloween night.

In addition to Operation Watchdog, Probation Officers in Boston, Brockton, Fall River, and Springfield are also collaborating local police on Halloween night to make unannounced visits to sex offenders as part of the Probation-established “Operation Lights Out” initiative. Their goal is to ensure that sex offenders will not open their doors to trick or treaters, distribute candy, display décor, or turn their porch or outside house lights on to attract children to their homes. There are approximately 848 sex offenders under probation supervision statewide.

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