Hillsborough Deputies Arrest 30 in 'Operation Scarecrow' After 1,202 Halloween Compliance Checks

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrested 30 registered sex offenders in October as part of "Operation Scarecrow," an effort to ensure compliance with registration and probation requirements ahead of Halloween, FOX 13 reported from the sheriff's office announcement.

Detectives conducted compliance checks on 1,202 registered sex offenders living in unincorporated Hillsborough County during the operation, according to the sheriff's office. During the final week before Halloween, the agency partnered with the Florida Department of Corrections and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to verify that offenders lived at their registered addresses and followed the conditions of their registration, supervision and probation.

"There is nothing more important than safeguarding children in our community," Sheriff Chad Chronister said, in the statement carried by FOX 13. "Our efforts ensured these offenders were in compliance, and those who were in violation went back to jail." Offenders on probation or supervision are prohibited from participating in Halloween activities, the sheriff's office said — they cannot pass out candy, display Halloween decorations or leave their porch lights on — and other violations found in the operation included failing to register a vehicle, failing to update a driver's license address and failing to report for registration on time.