Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
As Expected, Halloween Sucked For Sex Offenders
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Nov 1, 2011
Modified Nov 1, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Nov 1, 2011
Modified Nov 1, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Despite being a holiday primarily geared for children, Halloween in New York City is very much for adults, with boozy parties and haunted houses that require waivers. But one group of adults were left out of yesterday's fun: sex offenders. And the Daily News reports that the state's Division of Parole made sure that those who are on probation for sex-related crimes stayed indoors.
Dubbed "Operation Candy Cane," the plan called for officers to knock on the doors of Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders to make sure they weren't violating curfew, and "some answered the doors in their pajamas, interrupted while playing video games."
At one Flatbush home, a man who is on parole after pleading guilty to raping his 14-year-old stepdaughter, said, "It's difficult. It basically destroys your life and to get a place or to get a job, it's very hard." One of the parole officers seemed oddly gleeful about catching her charges in the act of violating the terms of their probation. "Sometimes when you're very sweet, they take it for granted. They think, 'I'm going to get one over on her.'" She continued, "I love it when they do that—that's the night I show up at your house and you get in trouble."
Tagged
crime
halloween
parole
parole officers
sad stories
sex offenders
video games
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot by ICE in NYC still has bullet lodged in neck, attorneys say
Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park on Monday.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Oct 12, 2026
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
News
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
NYC wants to move deliveries onto the waterways. It's starting with a 55-year-old boat.
By
Liam Quigley
Inside the luxury Greenpoint high-rise powered by a rumbling generator for over a month
By
David Brand
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .