Law enforcement encouraging safety this Halloween

CAPE FEAR REGION, NC (WWAY)– Ghosts and goblins will be out and about exactly one week from today for Halloween. 

According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than any other day of the year. 

Hallo-weekend is upon us, and people of all ages head out in their costumes, local law enforcement want to remind those who will be out and about to keep themselves and others safe.   

“If you’re out and about trick or treating and you have a costume on, it always is beneficial to have something bright on, or even a traffic vest if you are walking in traffic or near traffic,” said Lieutenant Greg Willet with the Wilmington Police Department. “Walk against the flow of traffic so you can see vehicles coming towards you.”  

Lieutenant Willett also says it’s a good idea to look over what you bring home from trick or treating.   

“Do check over the candy and the stuff your kids collect,” said Willett.  

Both Wilmington and Leland Police advise adults planning to go to bars or parties on Halloween to also take proper precautions.  

“If you’re an adult and are going to be celebrating Halloween, don’t drink and drive,” said Willett. “It is not worth it. It only takes one bad decision to ruin or life or somebody else’s life.”   

“There’s more of an emphasis on impaired driving this week,” said Mackenzie Roberts, Leland Police Officer. “Our officers will be looking harder than they do regularly, and there’s going to be an increase in enforcement this week.”   

Leland Police will be participating in the “Booze It and Lose It” campaign until the end of the week to help keep the community safe. 

“Because there’s going to be a lot of people out driving, there will be increased patrols, there will be increased checkpoints, and it’s all to focus on impaired driving. It’s just to keep the community safe. That’s our goal at the end of the day,” said Roberts.  

If you are planning to trick or treat, police also encourage you to stay in familiar neighborhoods, and only approach homes that have a porch light on.