This rabid, foaming at the mouth jack-o-lantern appeared in the bathroom soap dish this week.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

October 31st, 2011 Halloween Sex Offender Address Compliance Verification

This Halloween the Crystal Lake Police Department’s Targeted Response Unit will be conducting Sex Offender and Violent Offender Against Youth address verification compliance checks on all registered offenders residing within the City of Crystal Lake.

The Crystal Lake Police Department conducts these “knock & talks” periodically throughout the year to confirm that offenders are actually residing at their registered addresses.

Under current state law, registered sex offenders are prohibited from distributing candy or other items to anyone under the age of 18 years old, only if they are on a parole or probation status.

The City of Crystal Lake currently has 25 offenders required to register under Illinois State Law, 18 of which are listed on the public adult Sex Offender/Violent Offender Against Youth registry.

Juvenile offenders are not listed.

The Crystal Lake Police Department recognizes the importance of Illinois’ sex offender registration law, and is making every effort to ensure compliance with all aspects of the legislation.

In early October 2011, Crystal Lake Police Chief David Linder announced the implementation of OffenderWatch to manage registered sex offenders in the community. OffenderWatch enables Illinois law enforcement agencies to collaborate and share information with law enforcement partners statewide. This collaboration provides law enforcement agencies information concerning sex offender movements, history and activities anywhere in the county, state or country.

With Halloween approaching, this is a great resource for parents to identify which houses are safe and which houses to avoid while trick or treating.

Citizens may access the Crystal Lake Police Department OffenderWatch Community Web Page 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the Crystal Lake Police Department’s web site or access the Illinois State Police web site on-line at www.isp.state.il.us/sor.
The Crystal Lake Police will continue to randomly check sex offender’s who reside in the City of Crystal Lake to ensure they are in compliance with all requirements under state law.

The Crystal Lake Police Department’s Targeted Response Unit can be reached at 815-356-3768 regarding registered sex offenders and non-compliance information.