Police Stepping Up Patrols, Urging Safety for Halloween

After two years of storms that put a damper on the end of October, weather forecasts predict temperatures in the 60s and only a few clouds for Halloween afternoon.

Ridgewood Police announced in a release that the department will be adding extra officers on patrol Wednesday and Thursday night for the holiday, and police will be distributing glow sticks and bags at headquarters for pedestrian safety.

“Because excited trick-or-treaters often forget about safety, motorists and parents must be even more alert,” Chief John Ward said.

And in case anyone’s forgotten what it’s like for Halloween to take place on schedule, here are a few of the tips the chief had for parents especially during the hours of 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Halloween night:

• Drive at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit to give yourself extra time to react to children who may dart into the street.

• Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs. In dark costumes, they’ll be harder to see at night.

• Turn on your headlights to make yourself more visible – even in the daylight.

• Broaden your scanning by looking for children left and right into yards and front porches.

• Ensure an adult or older, responsible youth is available to supervise children under age 12.

• Plan and discuss the route your trick-or-treaters will follow.

• Teach children to stop only at well-lit houses and to never to enter a stranger’s home or garage.

• Establish a time for children to return home.

• Tell children not to eat any treats until they get home.

• Review trick-or-treating safety precautions, including pedestrian and traffic safety rules.

• Be bright at night – Carry a glow stick and wear retro-reflective tape on costumes and treat buckets to improve visibility to motorists and others. 

• Wear disguises that don’t obstruct vision, and avoid facemasks. Instead, use nontoxic face paint. 

• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. 

• Ensure any props are flexible and blunt-tipped to avoid injury from tripping or horseplay.

• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. (Remember STOP LOOK & WAVE)

• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.