HPD and Harris County deputies will patrol neighborhoods on Halloween to ensure sex offenders comply with restrictions and families can trick-or-treat safely.
HOUSTON — With Halloween just two days away, law enforcement across Harris County is stepping up patrols to make sure the night stays fun and safe for everyone.
The Houston Police Department and the Harris County Precinct 7 Constable’s Office are teaming up for what they’re calling the Halloween Safe Initiative, a coordinated effort aimed at keeping kids safe on October 31 and ensuring registered sex offenders follow all restrictions.
Their rules for the night are strict: no decorations, no handing out candy, no lights on, and no contact with children. Officers and deputies will make rounds from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Halloween night, ensuring offenders comply with parole conditions that prohibit any participation in the holiday.
According to the Precinct 7 Constable’s Office, this joint effort covers 23 districts across Houston and includes checks on more than 1,300 registered sex offenders.
In addition to the Precinct 7 operation, Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office will have its own version of the initiative, deploying deputies to neighborhoods across north and northwest Harris County to ensure offenders are also following their parole terms.
Both agencies emphasize that these checks are not only about enforcement but also about giving parents peace of mind as their children go door to door.
For families who want to take extra precautions, the Texas Sex Offender Registry offers an online interactive map that allows users to search by address and see offenders registered in their neighborhood.
How to check your neighborhood:
Visit the Texas Sex Offender Registry website.Type in your home address.Review the interactive map showing nearby offenders and their listed offenses.
HPD and Precinct 7 are holding a joint press conference at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Precinct 7 Office on Griggs Road to share more about how they’ll carry out these checks across the city.
As families prepare for Halloween, officials urge parents to plan routes carefully, keep an eye on their children, and double-check costumes for safety hazards before heading out Friday night.