Published: October 29, 2009 11:05 pm      

Police urge safety during Halloween weekend

Safety should be the No. 1 concern when parents send their kids out trick-or-treating this weekend.

To help parents and children have a safe and enjoyable Halloween, Kokomo police recommend people follow trick-or-treat hours and pay attention to surroundings.

In Kokomo, trick-or-treat hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. The department is asking parents to limit their children to these hours within the city limits.

Along with regular patrols, officers will participate in community events like the Kids Community Halloween Party from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Kokomo Event Center, said Officer Shawn Mayfield of KPD’s crime prevention unit.

“We’ll be giving out Halloween badges and candy, and there will be other booths giving away candy and gifts for kids,” Mayfield said.

Sponsored by Solidarity Federal Credit Union, the event is free to all children.

A costume party begins at 2:30 p.m., with awards for cutest, scariest and most original costume in several age groups. White’s Meat Market will serve hot dogs and chips.

The police department also reminds parents of the importance of supervising children, said Mayfield. Parents need to be mindful of traffic conditions and remember that many costumes tend to limit a child’s vision.

“Between 6 and 8 p.m. motorists need to be aware that there will be a lot of kids out and it’s going to be dark,” Mayfield said. “They need to slow down and be aware of their surroundings.”

KPD suggests that children not eat their treats while going door-to-door, but wait until they are finished and then allow their parents to inspect what they’ve been given for any sign of tampering.

For those not hitting the street, the malls, schools and churches offer children safe alternatives to trick-or-treating. These events are designed to keep children within parents’ view. Some hospitals and schools also allow children to trick-or-treat by going from room to room.

The Governor’s Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving is also urging motorists to take extra care this Halloween weekend to watch out for pedestrians and avoid distracted and impaired driving.

The council says research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows Halloween to be one of the deadliest days of the year for pedestrians in the United States.

Last year, Indiana had 16 collisions over Halloween weekend involving pedestrians. All of them resulted in injuries and in two cases were fatal.

The council says dimly lit roadways and dark costumes can make trick-or-treaters and partygoers on foot difficult to see. Pedestrians are urged to stay alert, carry flashlights and use crosswalks and sidewalks where possible.

• Mike Fletcher is the Kokomo Tribune crime reporter. He can be reached at 765-454-8565 or mike.fletcher@kokomotribune.com.