Halloween curfew starts Oct. 29

Monroe - The Monroe Police Department will enforce a Halloween curfew on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Oct. 29-31. It will mean that, with limited exceptions, no one under the age of 18 can be out on street between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. on each of these days. There also will be added patrols on Halloween assigned to neighborhoods and developments to help ensure a safe day for all residents and trick-or-treaters in the Village of Monroe, according to information from Monroe Police Chief Dominic Giudice’s office. The chief also urged parents to teach their children simple safety tips before they head out to trick or treat. “On Halloween evening, we’re placing our children in probably some of the most dangerous traffic situations you could imagine,” Giudice said. “Our children are outside after dark, they walk along and cross unfamiliar streets and they often wear dark colors which are difficult for motorists to see.” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Halloween consistently ranks among the top three days for pedestrian fatalities and injuries. Monroe Police offer these tips to parents for their children: • Trick-or-treat while it’s still light outside. • Use retro-reflective tape on your costume; wear light colors so it’s easier for motorists to see you. • Carry a flashlight for extra visibility. • Wear makeup instead of a mask so your vision will be unobstructed. • Have a parent or older sibling go with you. If that’s not possible, go with a group and stay together as a group the entire evening. Never go alone. • Tell your family which streets or neighborhoods you’ll be trick-or-treating. • Carry a cell phone so you can call home or 911 in case of emergencies. • Cross only at corners, never mid-block or between parked cars. • Instruct your child to never go into the home of a stranger or get into their car. Village of Monroe residents can pick up a Halloween Safety Tips and Tricks coloring sheet which has several different games and puzzles that teach children Halloween safety while having fun. These are free of charge and are available at the communications center of the Monroe Police Department from now until Halloween.