Upper Arlington Police will send Pumpkin Patrol vehicles through neighborhoods Oct. 29 to help trick-or-treaters who get lost, scared or hurt.
Trick-or-treat runs 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 29, rain or shine, with no alternate date, according to the city's official alert. Upper Arlington follows the schedule recommended by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC). Because Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, MORPC recommends trick-or-treating the Thursday before, NBC4 reported.
The Pumpkin Patrol consists of marked city trucks equipped with two-way radios that can alert police if a child needs help. The patrol may also hand out free candy along the way.
The event goes on regardless of weather.
Neighboring Grandview Heights set its trick-or-treat night for Saturday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m., according to the NBC4 schedule.
Tips for kids
The Upper Arlington Police Division offered several safety reminders for young trick-or-treaters:
- Plan a route in advance and share it with parents.
- Make sure costumes do not block vision.
- Trick-or-treat in a group and stay together.
- Never enter a stranger's house for a treat.
- Cross streets at crosswalks and carry a flashlight if wearing dark clothing.
- Skip houses with porch lights off.
- Wait for parents to check candy before eating any.
Tips for parents
The department also urged parents to:
- Know where children will be trick-or-treating, or join them in costume.
- Avoid costumes that are flammable or obstruct vision and movement.
- Give children light-colored clothing or a flashlight so drivers can see them.
- Inspect all candy before kids eat it. If anything appears tampered with, notify police.
Any Pumpkin Patrol vehicle in the neighborhood can be flagged down on Oct. 29 if a child needs assistance.
