As it gets closer to Halloween, the Portsmouth Sheriff's Department's Community Enforcement Unit is taking action to find unregistered sex offenders in their city.
"These are people you definitely don't want out on the street - especially around small children," says Deputy Parker Jernigan.
Sheriff's deputies are looking for six people - all wanted for not registering as sex offenders in Portsmouth.
Some of them have committed heinous crimes against children, and deputies say all of them are considered dangerous around kids.
Raymond Mitchell doesn't have a last known address and he was convicted of rape.
Edward Belfield was convicted of forcible sodomy and rape and frequents the bar Thumpers in Portsmouth.
Geralda Brue served time for sexual crimes against nature.
Jason Trusty served time for sexual assaults against children and is wanted for additional sex charges.
Eric Hobbs served time for abducting a child for prostitution and rape.
David Greth is wanted for abducting a child and sexual battery. Sheriff's deputies say he's never been caught.
NewsChannel 3 rode along with Portsmouth sheriff's Deputies as they checked last known addresses for these unregistered sex offenders.
The first stop - no luck - Geralda Brue hasn't been seen living here for awhile.
As deputies keep tracking they do get a lead on Edward Belfield.
"On this particular address the individual isn't here," says Deputy Bill Grimsley. "And because this is his residence and we do know he stays here. The people who live here were advised obviously to keep their porch light off during trick or treat hours. By law they are not suppose to have their porch light on or participate in trick or treat."
As deputies knock on doors looking for answers, they continue to get a few tips, but still can't find any sex offenders.
It's a job the Portsmouth Sheriff's Department does to keep their community safe.
However on Halloween the Virginia Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Office says the Portsmouth Corrections Department is supposed to take the lead on tracking sex offenders.
The state corrections office has set up two programs for sex offenders on Halloween. Every city in Hampton Roads is having sex offenders report for a special parole meeting, or requiring them to keep the porch light off and not answer the door that night.
Every city is participating in these programs except Portsmouth - which chose not to take part.
That's why Sheriff Bill Watson and his deputies are stepping up.
"I'm deeply concerned that probation and parole didn't get involved," says Sherriff Watson. "For God's sake they're supposed to be monitoring these people."
If you know anything about these men and women call the crime line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
"These are people you definitely don't want out on the street - especially around small children," says Deputy Parker Jernigan.
Sheriff's deputies are looking for six people - all wanted for not registering as sex offenders in Portsmouth.
Some of them have committed heinous crimes against children, and deputies say all of them are considered dangerous around kids.
Raymond Mitchell doesn't have a last known address and he was convicted of rape.
Edward Belfield was convicted of forcible sodomy and rape and frequents the bar Thumpers in Portsmouth.
Geralda Brue served time for sexual crimes against nature.
Jason Trusty served time for sexual assaults against children and is wanted for additional sex charges.
Eric Hobbs served time for abducting a child for prostitution and rape.
David Greth is wanted for abducting a child and sexual battery. Sheriff's deputies say he's never been caught.
NewsChannel 3 rode along with Portsmouth sheriff's Deputies as they checked last known addresses for these unregistered sex offenders.
The first stop - no luck - Geralda Brue hasn't been seen living here for awhile.
As deputies keep tracking they do get a lead on Edward Belfield.
"On this particular address the individual isn't here," says Deputy Bill Grimsley. "And because this is his residence and we do know he stays here. The people who live here were advised obviously to keep their porch light off during trick or treat hours. By law they are not suppose to have their porch light on or participate in trick or treat."
As deputies knock on doors looking for answers, they continue to get a few tips, but still can't find any sex offenders.
It's a job the Portsmouth Sheriff's Department does to keep their community safe.
However on Halloween the Virginia Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Office says the Portsmouth Corrections Department is supposed to take the lead on tracking sex offenders.
The state corrections office has set up two programs for sex offenders on Halloween. Every city in Hampton Roads is having sex offenders report for a special parole meeting, or requiring them to keep the porch light off and not answer the door that night.
Every city is participating in these programs except Portsmouth - which chose not to take part.
That's why Sheriff Bill Watson and his deputies are stepping up.
"I'm deeply concerned that probation and parole didn't get involved," says Sherriff Watson. "For God's sake they're supposed to be monitoring these people."
If you know anything about these men and women call the crime line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
