Above / McGruff the Crime Dog and Naperville Police urge residents to enjoy Halloween safely. Also note Naperville Police will crack down on drunk driving.
This year, Halloween will occur on Tuesday, October 31, 2017, which means it’s time for residents to prepare for little goblins and ghosts to be out for a night of fun in our community. There is no City ordinance in Naperville designating official Trick-or-Treating hours for children, but the Naperville Police Department would like to offer these Halloween safety tips to ensure that Halloween is a fun and festive time for all.
(Editor’s Note: Most local residents adhere to 4:30 to 8PM on Halloween as preferred hours to welcome costumed trick-or-treaters. That said, many organizations and businesses offer occasions to celebrate in costume early as indicated in this Countdown to Halloween 2017.)
As McGruff the Crime Dog would say, “Thanks for keeping the community safe.”
CLICK HERE for weekend listing of 2017 Halloween events!
Tips from Naperville Police Department to share with family, friends & neighbors
Residents
- Welcome trick-or-treaters with your porch lights and other exterior lights on.
- Do not give homemade or unwrapped treats to children.
- Report any suspicious or criminal activity to the Naperville Police Department immediately by dialing 911.
Motorists
- Exercise extreme caution when driving a vehicle, especially during the popular Trick-or-Treating hours of 4 to 8PM.
- Be on the alert for excited youngsters, whose vision may be obscured by masks, darting out into traffic.
- Enter and exit driveways with caution.
- Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over!
- Avoid distractions.
Dressing up safely
- Make sure costumes are flame retardant.
- Keep costumes short to prevent trips, falls and contact with flames.
- Encourage make-up instead of a mask. Masks can be hot and uncomfortable, and they can obstruct a child’s vision, which is especially dangerous when crossing streets and going up and down steps.
- Avoid costumes that are overly scary or that require “weapons” of any kind.
- Make sure kids wear light colors or put reflective tape on their costumes. Glow sticks and flashlights are also fun ways to light the way.
Safety First
- It is recommended that young children end trick-or-treating when it begins to get dark. Older children should be in by 8PM.
- There is safety in numbers. A responsible adult should always accompany young children and make sure older kids trick-or-treat with friends.
- If older children are going Trick-or-Treating without you, create a map of a safe trick-or-treating route in familiar areas. It is always best to keep the activity to your own neighborhood. Agree on a specific time they should be home as well as pre-set check in times.
- Do not eat any treats until they have been inspected.
- Do not go inside anyone’s home. Remain on the porch at all times.
- Do not accept rides from anyone, including people you know, without checking first with a trusted adult.
- Children should remember to look both ways before crossing the street and to cross at corners only. Use sidewalks, not the street, for walking. Be sure to “Stop, Look and Listen.” Never run between parked vehicles.
- Do not take shortcuts through back yards, alleys or parks.
- Carry a cell phone for quick communication and review how to call 911.
Treats
An adult should inspect all candy in a well-lit place and discard any homemade or unwrapped treats. Eat only unopened candies and other treats that are in original wrappers.
Sex Offenders
Parents should know where registered sex offenders live to avoid placing children in a risky situation. Visit the City of Naperville website at www.naperville.il.us/sexoffenders to access a link to registered sex offenders, searchable by location.
Story submitted by Commander Louis Cammiso, Public Information Officer, for Naperville Police Department.
Remember! On Halloween, and every day, impaired driving is scary and illegal
This Halloween, the Naperville Police Department is cracking down on impaired drivers with an aggressive Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement effort and is giving a fair warning to holiday revelers: Keep the party off the road.
“On Halloween, and every day, we urge you to beware of impaired driving,” said Naperville Police Sgt. Derek Zook. “Driving impaired by alcohol or drugs is deadly, it is illegal, and it will get you pulled over and arrested this Halloween.”
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates, more than 300 people were killed in alcohol-impaired motor vehicle crashes in each of the last three years in Illinois. In 2014, 302 people lost their lives in crashes involving at least one driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above. In 2015, that number rose slightly to 315 and remained the same in 2016. Just one DUI arrest could cost an estimated $18,000 or more and result in revoked driving privileges for up to a year.
The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign urges everyone to follow these simple tips to help keep our roads safe during Halloween:
- Plan a safe way to get home before you attend a party.
- Designate a sober driver, take public transportation, use your favorite ride-sharing service or call a sober friend or family member to get home.
- Walking while impaired can be just as dangerous as driving impaired. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.
- If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement as soon as it is safe to do so.
- If you see an impaired person about to drive, take their keys and help them get home safely.
This Halloween enforcement effort is made possible by federal traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Report submitted by Commander Louis Cammiso, Public Information Officer, for Naperville Police Department.
