Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison are announcing stepped up patrols and reminding residents of ways to keep themselves and their children safe as they celebrate Halloween.
Each year, Halloween brings trick-or-treaters to our neighborhoods and the department will be deploying additional patrols in an effort to ensure the safety of pedestrians and prevent criminal activity.
In addition to patrols units, auxiliary police officers will also be utilized throughout the county.
Residents are advised to:
- Make sure trick-or-treaters are accompanied by an adult and/or walk in groups.
- Walk on sidewalks, when available, and cross at intersections.
- Limit trick-or-treating to daylight hours, if possible.
- Bring flashlights and wear reflective clothing or bright colors when trick-or-treating at night.
- Check candy for signs of tampering.
- Read packaging labels to ensure treats are candy, not drugs. Many cannabis-infused products are packaged to look like popular candies.
- Stay alert while driving, using extreme caution. Pay special attention to children in the roadway as they are often distracted.
- Call 911 to report suspicious activity.
"While children are excited about dressing up as their favorite character or donning a scary costume, we want to ensure our residents that the SCPD will have extra patrols to enhance safety, prevent property damage and discourage mischief," Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said. "We ask residents to do their part and follow safety measures to keep their family safe during trick or treating.”
"Suffolk County Police officers will be out in full force this Halloween in an effort to ensure that residents have a safe, enjoyable celebration," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison said. "I would like parents to check their children's goodies for tampered candy while also reminding everyone that Halloween mischief that damages property is not a prank, it's a crime.”