Greenwich Police Ask Residents, Businesses 'To Leave the Lights On'

Original story: Oct. 30 @ 1:45 p.m.

In an effort to deter vandals and offer more safety for trick-or-treaters on Halloween, Greenwich police are asking that outdoor lights be left on overnight Wednesday and Thursday.

Police Chief James Heavey is requesting the cooperation of businesses and residents in the Town of Greenwich to leave lights on during the Halloween period, and hopes that the effort will prompt residents get into the habit year round.

Heavey he would like residents to get in the habit of putting on their outside lights all year round on a timer or install a motion detector to deter not only vandals, but other crime as well.

Trick or Treating is limited to Oct. 31 and the Chief requests parents to accompany younger children and is recommending they finish their candy-collecting rounds by  8 p.m. Anyone involved in criminal mischief will be promptly arrested and parents will be held responsible for any damage done by their children, Heavey said in a prepared statement.

Motorists:

• Slowdown in residential neighborhoods and obey all traffic laws.
• Exercise extreme caution when driving a vehicle. Be on the alert for excited youngsters darting out in traffic whose vision may be obscured by masks.
• Enter and exit driveways with caution.
• If you are driving children around the neighborhood, make sure they enter and exit the car on the curbside.
• Drivers should not wear a mask or a costume that makes it difficult to move your arms and legs while driving.
• Designate a driver for “adult parties”.

Parents and Children:

• Report any suspicious or criminal activity to the Police Department immediately.
• Use costumes with light or bright colored material and trim.
• Check to see that the costume does not interfere with walking.
• Encourage children to use face paint and/or make-up rather than hoods, wigs or masks that can block vision.
• Teach children not to cut across yards. .
• Do not accept rides from strangers.
• Check all treats before the children eat the candy and other Halloween goodies. Discard any homemade or unwrapped treats.
• Restrict Trick or Treat visits to homes with porch or outside lights on.
• Don’t go into homes. 
• Give children a flashlight and fresh batteries so they can see and be seen.
• Children should Trick or Treat in groups, NEVER alone. An adult should accompany children.
• Set a time limit for your children to Trick or Treat. Designate a specific route for them to take.
• Children should obey all pedestrian safety laws: wait for green lights, walk, never run into the street, look left, right then left again before entering the street traffic. Cross only at street corners and never between parked cars.