Safety bulletin from the NHPS for tonight

[Lee Cruz]

The New Haven Police Department strongly endorses the following Halloween Safety Tips

Walk Safely
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Trick or Treat With an Adult
• Children under the age of 16 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
Keep Costumes both Creative and Safe
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
Drive Extra Safely on Halloween
• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
Added information from the New Haven Police Department
Who’s at your door?
• Although many adults dress in costumes and participate in Halloween, Trick or Treating IS A CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY.
• You may open your door for anyone you wish BUT if you are suspicious of people at your door (especially adults without children and those without costumes), don’t open it.
• Make sure you have a clear view of who is outside. Keep porch lights on.
• If you don’t want to entertain Trick or Treaters, post a note covering your door bell.
• Report any criminal, suspicious or unruly behavior to Police, your
Block Watch and your neighbors. The New Haven Police Department phone number is 203-946-6316.
The New Haven Police Department will have additional patrols assigned in residential neighborhoods during the Trick or Treating hours. The patrols will consist of both Uniformed Officers and Plain-clothed Officers and Detectives.
Our goal is to maintain a safe environment for children in our communities.
Happy Halloween