Full Notification

The Anne Arundel County Police Department has an important message for the community!

The Anne Arundel County Police Department will be providing additional patrols in preparation of and during Halloween activities taking place throughout the county to deter criminal activity and help ensure that citizens have a safe Halloween. Residents can expect a visible police presence in the form of T.P.U. (Tactical Patrol Unit) officers, available Bike Patrol officers and scheduled Reserve officers, who will have red lights flashing on their vehicles along with customary patrol vehicles.

Halloween is a treasured tradition with the intention of fun and excitement for children, but unintended consequences can result from a lack of preparation for the evening. It is important that citizens take several precautionary measures to ensure that all children have a safe experience. Chief of Police Larry W. Tolliver is committed to providing the safest environment for children this evening. The Anne Arundel County Police Department would like to take this opportunity to remind people of the following safety tips:

• Stay in groups while trick-or-treating. Make sure that an adult or a responsible person will be supervising young children.
• Teach your children to stop only at homes or apartment buildings that are well lit and to never enter a stranger's home.
• If you are not going with your child, know the neighborhood and route they are taking.
• Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten. Eat dinner before trick-or-treating to prevent the urge to eat treats.
• Always walk. Do not run from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
• Walk on sidewalks and not in the street. If a sidewalk is unavailable, walk on the left side of the street facing traffic.
• Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.
• Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
• If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eyeholes. Consider using face paint instead of a mask.
• Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. (Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.)
• If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light-colored materials. Strips of reflective tape or glow sticks should be used to make children visible.
• Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules prior to your trick-or-treat adventure.
• Motorists need to be alert at all times and be aware of children crossing the street.
• Homeowners should keep their homes lit, secure all animals and give out only candy that is wrapped.
Just a reminder: some communities were affected by Hurricane Sandy and may still be without power so trick-or-treaters may want to avoid those areas. Also, there is no official designated Halloween treat or treat night set by the county, and because of this it cannot be canceled due to the recent hurricane. From everyone here at the Anne Arundel County Police Department Western District, we would like to wish all families a safe and happy Halloween.