Have a safe Halloween
Halloween is coming up in a few days and one of my favorite holidays. Okay, it’s not a holiday, but it should be. Lucky for us it falls on Nevada Day so it kinda is.
Again I digress to my working days. I was always shocked to see unescorted children walking around, trick or treating. Sometimes, I would see small groups of young children walking together without adult supervision.
When I called the parents, their excuse was;
“It’s our neighborhood, we know everyone here.”
“We thought it was okay because there was a group of kids walking together.”
“What’s the big deal?”
“Is it against the law to go trick or treating?”
Etc., etc.
Halloween has always been a problem for law enforcement and not always because of small, unescorted children.
It’s a pedophile’s dream. Children walking near the street, or by their house.
If you’re a business owner and someone walks in wearing a mask, what’s your first thought? So police would get the panic alarm or a call.
Older kids thought it funny to snatch a younger child’s treat bag and run off.
It terrifies the child and when the treat snatcher get caught, he goes to jail for a felony (larceny from a person). The first question the officer asks is “where are your parents?”
As a traffic officer, I would respond to scenes involving an auto/pedestrian accident. Children would indiscriminately walk into traffic and sometimes the driver wouldn’t see them because of the costume, lighting or they were looking at the other costumed revelers. Again, “where are your parents?”.
These incidents were thankfully few during Halloween but they did happen.
Parents, get you and your children prepared for outing. Give them the rules;
Always stay within eyesight and close proximity of each other.
Make sure they have proper name labels, address and phone numbers on their clothing.
Your children should know their address and phone numbers by heart. (You may scoff but you would be amazed how many children don’t know this simple info)
Set a time that you will call it “quits” and have a designated meeting place.
Give each child a whistle to notify you of ANYTHING!!!!
Have reflective clothing or items on. There are many types of flashing lights available that the kids will love to wear.
Be prepared to call the police if anything suspicious occurs. (Someone in the bushes, same car keeps driving by, etc.)
Inspect the treats your children get before they eat them. Never let them keep unwrapped treats. Usually if someone offers “homemade treats”, they will put a label with their address and phone number on them.
Parents, especially check out the listed websites regarding sexual offenders in the area. Many are not allowed any close contact with children and some CANNOT entice children by decorating their yard for the holidays.
Children;
Always tell your parents where you are going.
Never enter any home without getting your parent's permission first.
Never get into any vehicle, unless your parents know and have said it's OK.
Always wear reflective clothing at night.
Never approach any house that is not well lit.
Remember anything weird that an adult says or does to you and tell your parents or nearby adults immediately.
Run away from people who offer you candy or other treats or want you to help look for their puppy or kitten.
Scream, run, blow your whistle and fight if anyone tries to grab you or make you to go with them.
Don't play in areas that you are unfamiliar with.
Stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, always walk facing traffic.
Sounds like a lot but one incident can ruin the night and could cause long term issues to you and your family. A little prep can prevent any worries and will add to a safe and fun night.
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