Showing posts with label Halloween. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Halloween. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Did we lose the holiday spirit or did someone steal it?
Someone stole “Michael Myers” from a local Halloween display.  Great.  Just when I thought I was done with those movies.  What are we up to now?  Part XII?  XIII?
I noticed that it seems that the holiday spirit wasn’t so prevalent going into this holiday season.  I used to see elaborate displays for the holidays, especially Halloween, set up in people’s yards and sometimes in entire neighborhoods.  I thought that it was a clause in the HOA for the neighborhood to set up a display.  Now, it appears that the folks' artistic touch is waning.
I wanted to take photos of all the displays and put them into a video collage in case some of our viewers didn’t get a chance to drive around town. 
I was lucky to find one great display on Durango, north of Lone Mountain.  That’s it.  I was able to surf the internet and find one from 2009 in Henderson
Someone suggested that the economy may have an effect on the lack of displays.  Someone else claimed it’s because the local and federal government have enacted restrictions on such displays on government property.  Even religious bias was mentioned.
I think folks are tired of the vandalism and theft that is occurring when the displays are set up.  It seems to be at epidemic levels. YouTube is rampant with surveillance videos of thieves and vandals caught on tape.  So as a result, Michael Myers is on the loose again.
Whatever happened to the house getting toilet papered?  The burning bag with the dog poop?  Smashed pumpkins?  Egging?  Am I outdated?
 Or maybe the economy does have something to do with it.  More people out of work and too much idle time on their hands.  More vacant/abandoned homes also.
Religious bias has also become an issue.  Christian, Atheist and other religious displays are vandalized every year.
Don’t allow these stories to prevent you from putting up a holiday display.  People do appreciate them.  You will see folks driving by and slowing to show the kids, taking photos or meeting friends. Neighborhoods become community meeting spots again.  The ambitious bring holiday treats. And guess what?  It’s free. For many people this is the best time of year. Halloween to New Year's Eve; a big holiday every month, all in celebration of something. There will be signs of that everywhere if you take the time to look, and you can always do your bit by adding your own.
Last year, the “Glittering Lights” display was featured at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and was quite the hit.  (Vegas Glittering Lights) There is a small charge for this display but well worth the drive and the entrance fee.
Check it out and Happy Holidays…

Friday, October 21, 2011

Have a safe Halloween


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.