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Tips to keep Halloween from being frightful for young pedestrians

Posted at 6:42 PM, Oct 31, 2013
and last updated 2013-10-31 18:42:16-04

Halloween is for trick or treaters, but its one of the worst times for pedestrians.

Neighborhoods are preparing for kids to hit the streets--but there are certain things that must be done to keep kids from being hit.

"This is the highest night of the year for pedestrians walking around and children being struck by vehicles," said Corporal Scott Gordon, Chesterfield Crime Prevention unit.

We took a look at Hanover Avenue in Richmond, and a neighborhood in Midlothian, and the difference between the two is the city has sidewalks and street lights.

In Chesterfield, there's limited lighting and no walkway.  Police say parents should make sure their kids wear brightly colored costumes.

"If you can put some kind of light or some type of item on the children's costume because most of the kids costumes are dark,"  Corporal Gordon said.

Corporal Gordon advised parents to carry a flashlight too.   And with more people out and about - drivers should be cautious and pay more attention to the road.

"You don't want to text and drive.  You don't want to be using alcohol when you're driving," said Gordon.

We wanted to know - what's the number one crime that occurs on Halloween?

Here's a break down:

  • In Richmond, there were nine drug and narcotic offenses in 2012.
  • Chesterfield reported six Simple Assaults and six traffic Hit and Run incidents in 2012.
  • The number one reported crime in Henrico in 2012 was vandalism.
  • Hanover reported a two calls for Service in 2012 which included Suspicious Situation (a total of 6), and Traffic Complaint (total of 7)