The Pettis County Sheriff’s Office has announced an “Operation Lights Out” initiative geared towards area registered sex offenders on Sunday, October 31.

According to a statement from Sheriff Brad Anders, Operation Lights Out is an effort to remind all registered sex offenders of Section RSMO 589.426.

The sections state sex offenders must avoid all Halloween-related contact with children; remain inside his or her residence between the hours of 5 to 10:30 p.m. – unless required to be elsewhere for just cause, including but not limited to employment or medical emergencies; post a sign at his or her residence stating, “No candy or treats at this residence”; and leave all outside residential lighting off during the evening hours after 5 p.m.

On Tuesday, October 26, Anders offered a clarification: “Per Missouri Supreme Court case, Missouri v Raynor, only those who are convicted after August 28, 2008, are required to comply with Halloween restrictions. This includes all three tiers of sex offenders.”

The sections says, “Any person required to register as a sexual offender under sections 589.400 to 589.425 who violates the provisions of subsection 1 of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.”

A letter of reminder is scheduled to be sent out to all offenders in Pettis County.

Pettis County Deputies and Sedalia Police Officers will be conducting compliance checks from 5 to 10:30 Halloween night.

For more information, you can contact the Sheriff’s Office at (660) 827-0052.