Police keeping watchful eye for trick-or-treat trouble | News

Police departments around the Capital Region are trying to make sure children have a safe Halloween.

They will be keeping a close eye on sex offenders. The state Division of Parole says it will be checking in on parolees.

In Rensselaer County they tell us they'll be watching 86 sex offenders on their list.

There will be curfews, orders to stay home and inside, and to not answer the door for trick-or-treaters.

State police are also beefing up patrols and keeping a close eye on pranksters. They're launching their annual "pumpkin patrol."

State troopers and volunteers will begin patrolling for dangerous pranks that put travelers at risk. That includes things being thrown from highway overpasses.

The pumpkin patrol first went into effect in 1976.