Crystal Lake Police Conduct Registered Sex Offender Checks for Halloween

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.

Crystal Lake Police conduct these "knock & talks" periodically throughout the year to confirm offenders are actually residing at their registered addresses, according to a press release issued by Cmmdr. Derek Hyrkas.

Under current state law, registered child sex offenders are prohibited from distributing candy, or other items to anyone under the age of 18 years old.

Crystal Lake currently has 21 offenders required to register under Illinois State Law, 19 of which are listed on the public adult Sex Offender/Violent Offender Against Youth registry, Hyrkas said.

Juvenile offenders are not listed. The Crystal Lake Police Department recognizes the importance of Illinois’ sex offender registration laws, and is making every effort to ensure compliance with all aspects of the legislation.

Last year, 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, Hyrkas said.

This collaboration provides law enforcement agencies information concerning sex offender movements, history and activities anywhere in the county, state or country.

This is a great resource for parents to identify houses they may wish for their children 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 website, or access the Illinois State Police website. 

Crystal Lake Police will continue to randomly check sex offenders who reside in the city to ensure they are in compliance with all requirements under state law, Hyrkas said.

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