Jersey City Police Offer Safe Halloween Fun
Trunk-or-Treat with the JCPD
On Jefferson Street between Central and Summit Avenue, hundreds of witches, ghosts, Pacman, and even a fleet of Star Wars Storm Troopers were seen dancing along to the cha-cha slide in the Jersey City Heights! For the 2nd year, the Jersey City Police Department (JCPD) and members of the community held their annual Halloween Trunk-or-Treat event in the Heights. Trunk-or-Treat is a free event held annually for Jersey City families to trick-or-treat in a supervised and safe environment. This activity is pretty much the Halloween tailgate. Instead of local children going door-to-door to get candy, they go from trunk-to-trunk. The JCPD lent their police cars, fire engines, and even a SWAT vehicle for the BOO-tastic event while off duty officers dressed up for everyone’s entertainment. Adults and children wore their costumes, visited the uniquely decorated cars, filled up on candy, and enjoyed a safe night of Halloween fun!
Building Community Bridges
These types of events build a sense of unity within our city. The JCPD is actively working on deepening community relationships and making police officers more accessible to residents, not just in times of distress but as a fundamental part of their daily lives.
Deputy Chief Nicholas Scerbo says, “We want everyone to have a fun and happy Halloween. This is an event Captain Joe Santiago has been pioneering from the start along with members of the community. This provides a secure and controlled environment for kids to enjoy the holiday while also strengthening our police-community relations.”
Halloween Safety Tips from the JCPD
Although this event was a great safe addition to the traditional Trick-or-Treating, the JCPD knows kids want to venture out during Halloween night. To help ensure that the Jersey City Community has a spooktacular and safe Halloween celebration, here are some safety tips from the Jersey City Police Department.
Trick-or-Treaters
- Dress children in costumes that have bright colors and make sure if they’re wearing masks, to have eye holes that are big enough to properly see out of.
- Avoid costumes that have pieces dragging around the children’s feet creating the hazard of a potential trip and fall.
- Trick-or-treaters should try to make their rounds in a group if possible, according to a press release issued by the JCPD. All younger children below the age of 12, whether in a group or individually, should be accompanied by an adult.
- Caution your children to walk on sidewalks rather than walking in the street. Everyone needs to be mindful of vehicle traffic, remembering to look in all directions before crossing.
- It is best for trick-or-treaters to stay away from houses that are not well lit and to remain outside while waiting for the candy.
Motorists
- Drivers should be extra careful that night, remembering there will be youngsters who may be distracted and not paying attention to safety.
Candy
- Parents should inspect all treats the children collect before any of it is eaten. If children are out on their own, instruct them not to eat any of it before they return home and an adult checks things out. Any candy or other items that are unwrapped or not in their original wrappers or appear to be homemade or tampered with should be discarded unless the parent has firsthand knowledge of the source and absolutely trusts them.
Home-owners
- Residents who invite trick-or-treaters onto their property should ensure that sidewalks and walkways are adequately lit and safe for visitors.
- The home-owners should restrain pets, especially large dogs. They may not bite but could easily scare or knock down a small child.
Upcoming Kid-Friendly Halloween Events
If you’ve missed this year’s JCPD Trunk-or-Treat, don’t panic! There are plenty of more upcoming family-friendly Halloween events! Lucky for you, the search will be easy. EverythingJerseyCity.com is here to help you out with a list of all the events near you. Here are just a few of the many events happening in Jersey City this Halloween.
A Halloween Spooktacular Event hosted by JCFamilies
Join us under the Harborside Atrium for a costume competition, a dance party, carnival games, and other fun family friend activities.
3rd Annual Family Halloween Bowling Night at Hudson Lanes
Boo-yah, Jersey City Nupes presents it’s 3rd annual family Halloween bowling night at Hudson Lanes!
Halloween Family Bash at The Newark Ave Pedestrian Mall
Have a ghoulishly good time on The Newark Ave Pedestrian Mall this Halloween! There will be face-painting, a bouncy house, music, and CANDY!
Happy Halloween, Jersey City!
Author: Shirley Davila
Shirley Davila is a freelance writer living in New Jersey originally from Lima, Peru. She is a travel junkie and food aficionado whose always looking for new things to try!
