The Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) took ten sex offenders into custody today (October 30, 2020), wrapping up a month-long operation aimed at protecting all our residents and visitors – especially young trick-or-treaters – during Halloween.
“Operation Safe Treats” – spearheaded by the DBPD’s Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Unit – ended with the arrests of the following people for failing to properly register as a sex offender with the State of Florida:
- Vincent Barron (61 years old)
- Lloyd Dupree (43 years old)
- Walter L. Hagaman (46 years old)
- Leon Oliver (44 years old)
- Alonzo Smith (52 years old)
- Eric N. Stack (36 years old)
- Billy R. Tolbert (58 years old)
- Jason Vonnieda (47 years old)
- Jerald O. Wicks (49 years old)
- Randy Young (64 years old)
Throughout October, the POP Unit did address verification checks on all registered sex offenders residing in Daytona Beach.
All suspects taken into custody today had at least one registration violation, according to DBPD Deputy Chief Jakari Young.
“We hope this sends a message to all sex offenders within our city limits that they must comply with the law and must let us know where they are residing at all times,” Young added. “That rule is in place to protect our community, especially the children. It’s even more vital with Halloween being tomorrow and all of our children that may be out trick-or-treating.”
According to Florida Statutes (F.S.) 948.30, sex offenders and predators who are currently on probation cannot do the following during Halloween:
- Have lights on or decorations which attract or lure children to the home
- Wear a costume
- Give or hand out candy or toys
Under state law, sex offenders and predators who are not currently on probation, conditional release or house arrest can observe Halloween as long as they comply with F.S. 943.0435 & 775.21.
We encourage all participants this Halloween to look at our sex offender map and know what areas to avoid while trick-or-treating.
If going house-to-house is not for you, there will be many other Halloween events taking place throughout Daytona Beach this weekend.
DBPD also continues to recommend that everyone observe all Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to keep safe from COVID-19 on this Halloween.