Putting Safety First Leads To Spooktacular Halloween
By Space Coast Daily // October 31, 2012
Pumpkin Patrols Return In Palm Bay
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The Palm Bay Police Department’s Voluntary Citizens On Patrol unit will be deploying their annual Halloween Night “Pumpkin Patrols” once again this year.
Palm Bay Police Department spokeswoman Yvonne Martinez said patrols being at 5 p.m. tonight and will continue through 9 p.m.
Several marked “Citizen Patrol” vehicles decorated with pumpkin lights will patrol each sector of the city delivering candy to children participating.
“Two uniformed volunteers will be in each marked vehicle throughout the duration of the patrol,” Martinez said. “Parents are encouraged to participate with their children and to reinforce common sense safety practices during Halloween activities.”
She said patrol officers also will be conducting proactive enforcement including compliance checks of registered sex offenders in the area.
“We urge parents to check all the items children receive during the night,” said Palm Bay Police Chief Doug Muldoon. “We want everyone to have a fun-filled enjoyable evening.”
Some other suggestions for parents to keep children safe on Halloween include:
• Making sure adults accompany children while trick or treating. If children are older and will be trick or treating without adult supervision, instruct them to take friends with them.
• Parents should know the route trick-or-treaters will be taking and make sure that children know not to deviate from that route.
• Always make certain that children know to walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, it is safest to walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Be sure children know how to cross a street properly. They should always look both ways and should only cross at corners using crosswalks.
• Help children to select a safe costume. If they are wearing a mask of any kind, make certain that they eye holes are large enough that their visibility is not limited.
• Have children carry glow sticks or flashlights. This will help them see better as well as help drivers to see them.
