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Police Watch For Sex Offenders During Holidays

TOWSON, Md. (AP) -- Baltimore County police say officers will be on the lookout this holiday season for sex offenders hanging around children.

Police say plainclothes officers will be posted in busy shopping areas where children congregate to watch for registered sex offenders prohibited from being near children.

If a plainclothes officer determines that someone is violating parole or probation, they'll contact a uniformed officer who will speak with the offender. The person's name may be passed on to the state officials for enforcement action and the offender could be returned to jail.

Police say many retailers are getting involved, too. Security officers have been given pictures of registered offenders and will contact police if they see someone who concerns them.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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