'Operation Fright Night'

While doing a sweep in San Joaquin County, Sheriff's deputies check the compliance of sex offenders with state requirements Wednesday. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

'Operation Fright Night'

Deputies check sex offenders two days before Halloween

By Layla Bohm
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Wednesday, October 29, 2008 11:56 PM PDT

Comments (16 comment(s))

Dozens of extra deputies and probation officers took to the streets Wednesday in a sweep dubbed "Operation Fright Night," checking on nearly 200 registered sex offenders two days before Halloween.

Many live in neighborhoods where children will be trick-or-treating, and San Joaquin County Sheriff's officials said they wanted to make sure the offenders were complying with state laws. Those who had not properly reported their addresses or had moved without notifying law enforcement were arrested.

All told, officers visited 191 sex offenders' homes, made 16 arrests and issued eight citations in a nine-hour span. The arrests included parole and probation warrants, and the citations included vehicle violations deputies saw during the sweep.

"The majority of them will be in compliance, but we need to be proactive," Lt. Tom Desmaris said before the operation kicked off around 1 p.m.

At one Stockton home, several carved pumpkins sat on a porch as deputies knocked on the door. Children were seen in the neighborhood, which appeared to be a welcome area for trick-or-treaters.

Some sex offenders have specific restrictions placed on them by parole or probation officers, such as orders to stay away from children, but most are free to pass out candy to costumed children.

Officers searched some homes where the offenders are on probation that allows unlimited searches. A few suspects had warrants.

The operation spanned the unincorporated area of San Joaquin County, which falls under the Sheriff's jurisdiction. Indivual police departments keep track of sex offenders living within their city limits.

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Cogito wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:46 PM:

" Dogs, I don't shop at the flea market. The majority of those people, buyers and sellers alike, come from out of town. by the way dogs, did you get your spell check at the flea market? Warvet, I agree with you on the 150 gangs thing. We're too small a town to have that many gangs, unless some gangs have a single member, or unless they're counting gangs like the Red Hat Society. "

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america1 wrote on Oct 30, 2008 7:25 PM:

" FYI, this artical never mentions Lodi PD was assistanting in this sweep. This was conducted by the San Joaquin Co Sheriff's office and probation officers. Good JOB Sheriff's office! More scum off the streets...too bad these can't be done on a regular basis. "

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MARZO2008 wrote on Oct 30, 2008 12:53 PM:

" They should put them back in the hole just for halloween. maybe at "white slough". so they can think about how we feel about who they are. as far as i think they are no longer normal. and should be haarassed all of the time. they can always leave and move out of california and never come back. trash like that doesn't deserve anything from anyone of us. "

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real facts wrote on Oct 30, 2008 12:42 PM:

" ("deblaw wrote on Oct 30, 2008 8:00 AM:
" Harrassmant and Discrimination, don't they have rights too? They were born this way, there way of life should be accepted as the "norm".. Maybe next elections new propositions... ").

good one. beat me to the draw.

when i first laid eyes on this article on the front page, the FIRST thing that came to mind was lodians lying wish about the "rights issue" of homosexuals and prop 8. how funny. the timing could not had been better.

and of course lodian had to whip out a lie on this blog about you (deblaw) being me.

lodian must have promised herself that if she goes one day without lying, she would have to cut off her own nose

lodian has "no right" to talk about sex offenders in a bad light, because they are good people trying to find their way in life, and they were "born that way"

baWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA "

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weezer wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:54 AM:

" it's funny how some people look at law enforcement negatively regardless of what the officers do.
Damn if you do, damn if you don't.

as usual, Cogito finds an opportunity to criticize Galt PD. the flea market is closed *today* and yet he raises that issue once again.

deblaw, rights? you give up your rights (or some of it) when you commit a crime. police won't be knocking at these people's doors if they didn't commit acts against children. "

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warvet wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:18 AM:

" I think the Galt P.D. need to take some tips from Lodi P.D. they do things that actually help protect children and all the citizens in Lodi. Do you really believe there are 150 different gangs in Galt? Scare tactics is what I say. I did read about all of the gang members that Lodi P.D. have been arresting and I believe they deserve to have more police officers and I hope Lodi gets them. Galt P.D. make some changes,help people don't try to make them fear you,I would like to see something good printed about you asap. "

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dogs4you wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:09 AM:

" Cogito: Depending on how many sex offenders live in Galt, I would think that the Galt PD knows where they live since they are supposed to register their location. As far as the flea market is concerned, most if not all of that crap there is stolen or a fake and can be bought for pennys on the dollar. If your happy buying anything there knowing its phony, your no better than the people that sold it to you in the first place, you did get a sales tag didn`t you? "

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reality1 wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:09 AM:

" Sex offenders are not normal people and should not have any contact with children if they were convicted of a sex crime with under age children I think these people need to be harassed if they are not obeying their parole. Finally the cops are doing some preventitive crime work. I don't care how people may or may not have been born. If you break the law you pay the price. Good job Lodi PD. Liberals with crime have ruined this country. Hang em high. "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 30, 2008 10:43 AM:

" Cogito wrote on Oct 30, 2008 9:18 AM:

" Galt Police Dept. take notes. Leaning on sex offenders and child predators should take priorities over the selling of fake Louis Vitton purses at the flea market. Just a suggestion"

I'll second that, but maybe Galt doesn't have any crime worse than the sale of fake bags. ;-) "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 30, 2008 10:42 AM:

" real facts, oh I mean, deblaw... this is about registered sex offenders and making sure they are not violating parole. They were convicted of a crime and are registered sex offenders on parole. Why should a criminal be "accepted" as the "norm"? "

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Cogito wrote on Oct 30, 2008 9:18 AM:

" Galt Police Dept. take notes. Leaning on sex offenders and child predators should take priorities over the selling of fake Louis Vitton purses at the flea market. Just a suggestion. "

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T & C wrote on Oct 30, 2008 8:18 AM:

" Can we get a few parole and probation searches going now on Gang members? "

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T & C wrote on Oct 30, 2008 8:14 AM:

" I do not feel sex offenders should be allowed to pass out candy to children. They are ordered to Stay Away from children, end of story! "

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Rhodie wrote on Oct 30, 2008 8:04 AM:

" "Comment Rules
Do not post:

Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.

Personal attacks, insults or threats."

I guess rules are posted to the side of here to just take up space.

I now know what happens to all those kids on the playground who never learned how to show respect from their parents. They post innuendo and outright insults on LNS. "

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deblaw wrote on Oct 30, 2008 8:00 AM:

" Harrassmant and Discrimination, don't they have rights too? They were born this way, there way of life should be accepted as the "norm".. Maybe next elections new propositions... "

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