Sex offenders required to report on Halloween

While families and children begin to trick-or-treat outside, 30 men and women shuffle up the stone staircase of the Monroe County Justice Building on Halloween.

These men and women are sex offenders, some paroled and others on probation. They are required to attend a three-hour meeting during Bloomington trick-or-treat hours.

“This is a way to keep the community safe as well as the offender,” Ken Bugler, a Monroe County Probation officer, said.

These offenders are packed into a courtroom on the third floor. Some brought with them Subway sandwiches, drinks and books to try and pass the time. They stared across the courtroom at the flat screen television as “Captain America: Civil War” played.

Bugler said each year the movie changes and it needs to be reviewed for material some might find sexual. Bugler said each year the movie changes and it needs to be reviewed for material some might find sexual. No one is required to watch the movie, they only have to stay on the third floor of the justice building until trick-or-treat hours end.

“If you want to go out and read, go read,” Bugler said. “If you want to sleep, sleep. I don’t care.”

The three-hour meeting is meant to safeguard the community and the offenders. Bugler, with 16 years in helping facilitate this program, said he has not had any large issues.