Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, and Police Chief Darnell Henry offered tips to residents today to help them enjoy a safe Halloween on Monday, October 31.

“Halloween will fall this year on a Monday, which means our streets will be busy with motorists and pedestrians alike. It is important for residents to be safety-conscious at all times, particularly on Halloween night, when children are out on our streets trick-or-treating. I encourage all of our residents to follow the safety tips provided by our Department of Public Safety to ensure that Halloween is a fun and safe time for everyone,” said Mayor Baraka. “I hope that all of Newark’s residents enjoy transforming Newark into a fun and safe City this Halloween.”

 “During Halloween festivities, children should be accompanied and closely monitored by a parent or a responsible adult.  In an effort to ensure Halloween is both safe and fun, we will increase our patrols with additional officers being deployed to address the mischievous activities generally associated with Mischief Night and Halloween,” said Director Ambrose.

“Halloween is a special time for many Newark children, and the Newark Police Division is determined to ensure that all of our Trick-or-Treaters can participate safely,” said Chief Henry. “With the support of our community, our families will have an enjoyable and safe Halloween.”

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Director Ambrose and Chief Henry gave a list of safety tips, as follows:

PARENTAL TIPS

• Children under 12 years of age should always be accompanied by an adult.
• Do not use open flame candles in jack-o-lanterns. Commercially available battery –powered lights are much safer and do not pose a fire hazard.
• Children should be supervised when pumpkin carving  
• Do not hand out homemade or unwrapped candies to children.
• Parents should plan a route for their child to use for trick-or-treating and set an early time for their child to return home.
• To welcome trick-or-treaters, switch on porch lights or any exterior lights. 

 REMIND YOUR CHILDREN, WHEN TRICK OR TREATING:

• Do not go inside anyone’s house. Remain on the stoop or porch at all times.
• Do not go into a stranger’s automobile.
• Do not take shortcuts through backyards, alleys, or parks.
• Walk, don’t run, when crossing the street. Be sure to look both ways. Do not cross in between cars.
• Always use the sidewalk.
• Trick-or-treat on well-lit streets within your neighborhood and always travel in a group.
• Use the buddy system, and make sure you have at least one buddy with you the entire evening.
• When you return home, have an adult examine and discard all candies that are not factory sealed or wrapped by the candy manufacturer. Never eat homemade or unwrapped treats. Never accept candy from strangers. 
• Carry spare change or a cell phone to call home in case of an emergency
• Call 911 in the event of an emergency.

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 Anyone with information about any crime in Newark is urged to call the Division’s 24-hour “Crime Stoppers” anonymous tip line at 877 NWK-TIPS (877 695-8477) or 877 NWK-GUNS (877 695-4867). Tips leading to arrests and indictments could result in cash rewards of up to $2,000 to the person who provides the information or up to $1,000 per gun for calls into the gun hot line.