APPLETON, Wis. (AP) – Authorities are planning to step up their monitoring of sex offenders in the Appleton area on Monday as trick-or-treaters go door-to-door.

The state Corrections Department prohibits those on probation, parole or extended supervision for a sex crime from handing out candy or having any other interaction with children on Halloween.

Jason Weber, community liaison officer for the Town of Menasha Police Department, tells the Post-Crescent police officers and state agents will be doing random checks on registered offenders.

Sgt. Pat DeWall of the Appleton Police Department says the plan is to check on offenders while children are trick-or-treating.

Appleton defense attorney Len Kachinsky says he’s skeptical that the checks will make communities safer. He argues that in most cases, there’s a prior relationship between the child and offender.

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