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.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Police urge safety during Halloween weekend
- Local News
-
-
Delphi retirees continue fight for pensions
A group of then-Delphi Corp. retirees saw a long road ahead of them when they banded in 2009 to keep hold of their full pensions and benefits.
-
Eastern moves ahead on wind turbine
A packed room of remonstrators Tuesday held little sway over the Eastern Howard Schools board, which voted unanimously to move ahead on a $2.75 million wind turbine project.
-
Board: discipline not strict enough
The Medical Licensing Board of Indiana has rejected a proposed resolution to a Russiaville doctor’s disciplinary case, directing the Indiana Attorney General’s Office to propose a more stringent set of requirements.
-
City to end agreement with Novia
City officials said Tuesday they’re planning to switch providers at the city’s employee health-care clinic this spring, ending a year-old relationship with Novia Health Care.
-
Eastern celebrates graduation rate improvement
The latest graduation rates prove all Howard County schools are offering a quality education, a local superintendent said.
That’s how Tracy Caddell, superintendent of the Eastern Howard School Corp., summed up the figures released Tuesday by the Indiana Department of Education.
-
Jail full of females
In late January, cell mates Monica Clark Davis and Christy Miller were awaiting disposition of their respective cases in the Howard County jail.
-
Eastern set for wind turbine meeting
GREENTOWN — Eastern Howard Schools superintendent Tracy Caddell said Monday the school board is considering alternate sites for a proposed wind turbine project, which would build a 287-foot-tall windmill to produce energy for the schools.
-
Chamber cancels cook-off
After an 11-year run, the annual chili cook-off in Kokomo has been canceled for this year.
-
Miami County GOP fails to appoint new trustee
PERU – Miami County commissioners will be forced to appoint a Perry Township trustee after the GOP’s county chairman exceeded the deadline to replace the vacated seat.
-
Students petition to keep daycare at IUK
A group of Indiana University Kokomo students is petitioning the university to reconsider shutting down an on-campus childcare center.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
