HOUSTON -- Local law enforcement authorities warn parents and children that they need to be careful when trick-or-treating on Halloween. There's much more than just bad candy out there. Sexual predators use the holiday to lure children to their homes, police told Local 2.

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Officials Want To Ensure Sexual Predators Don't Violate Probation

A collaborative effort between Harris County Precinct 6 deputies and probation officers said they would drive to the homes of registered sex offenders who are on probation or parole the night of Halloween in search of decorations or other item that might be used to entice children.

"We are looking at probably visiting at least 100 homes (on Halloween night)," Harris County Precinct 6 Constable Victor Trevino said. "The actual ones that we have on probation are the people we are going to go visit. We are looking at about eight to 10 patrol cars, each accompanied by a probation officer."

Precinct 6 includes the East End, 5th Ward and near north side areas of Houston.

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Authorities said they have been talking to registered sex offenders over the past couple of days reminding them that participating in any Halloween-related activity that involves children would violate their probation.

Deputies said they have instructed the offenders to turn off their porch lights and to not open their doors to trick-or-treaters, and have warned them that patrol cars on the streets Halloween night will be looking for violators.

"You don't make your home available to trick-or-treaters. Turn off your lights. If you have a fence, keep it locked. They're not to participate," Trevino said. "We know that sometimes we may not be able to visit all the homes of sex offenders on Halloween night, but it is a step in the right direction."

State records show there are more then 300 registered sex offenders in Precinct 6. Officials said there are so many in the area because rents are lower and landlords do not perform background checks.

Any registered sex offender caught opening the door to a trick-or-treater will be arrested.

Parent Brenda Ramirez said she is always cautious with her children on Halloween.

"I don't let them go ahead of me or run to the house because I ask for them to wait for me, so we can go up together," she said.

She used to worry they would hurt themselves or get bad candy. Now she has a new concern.

"I never really thought about sex offenders," Ramirez said.

Local 2 found four registered sex offenders on Avenue J, one street away from Ramirez's home.

"Wow, I didn't know that. I didn't know that. Well, I don't take them trick-or-treating in this neighborhood," Ramirez said. "It's a scary thought."

Deputies said they will begin their search at 5 p.m. Sunday and will stay out until they feel comfortable that all children are back home.

The constable's office asks that anyone who knows of a registered sex offender with a Halloween-decorated yard or is seen handing out candy to notify authorities at (713) 755-2000.

To search a statewide database of where sex offenders live, visit the Texas Department of Public Safety Web site.