With Halloween just days away, the biggest takeaway is to always stay safe while having fun.

“Community vigilance is key,” said Crawford County Sheriff Darin Layman. “We ask residents to report any suspicious activity immediately, whether it’s unsafe driving, property damage, or unfamiliar vehicles circling neighborhoods. Motorists should drive slowly, stay off phones, and expect children to dart into the street. Neighbors can also help by keeping porch lights on and yards well-lit to create safer routes for trick-or-treaters.”

On Oct. 31, Layman says there will increased law enforcement visibility in order to minimize accidents and injuries on Halloween. There also will be more patrols in residential neighborhoods especially during prime trick-or-treat times. Layman said law enforcement will be assigned to main roadways and locations in which kids are likely to be walking. Additionally, uniformed officers will be in marked vehicles, deputies will providing assistance with traffic and community patrol and school resource officers will be volunteering in their neighborhoods.

“The goal is to deter unsafe driving, respond quickly to calls, and reassure families enjoying the evening,” he said.

To prevent accidents and reinforce safety rules, Layman advises parents to talk with their kids about safety measures prior to Halloween and to form a safety plan in advance. Having such conversations ahead of time provides an opportunity for kids to ask questions and engage with their own thoughts and potentially raise any concerns.

“Parents should remind kids to stay with their group, never enter a stranger’s home, and always walk on sidewalks when possible,” Layman said. “Discuss the importance of checking candy before eating it and planning a route ahead of time. Emphasize that if they ever feel uncomfortable or get separated, they should go to a trusted adult or law enforcement officer.”

Being proactive and strategist in advance, Layman says, is also a best practice for those planning to drink alcohol on Halloween. Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 39% of all traffic fatalities on Halloween in 2022 involved impaired drivers while 46% of those involved alcohol.

“Designate a sober driver, use a ride-share, or stay overnight where you’re celebrating. Deputies will be conducting DWI enforcement throughout the night, so the safest choice is to hand over the keys before you start drinking.”

While it has long been a tradition to play pranks on Halloween due to the thrill of the scare, shared laughter, and the creativity that can go into the prank, Layman cautions not to turn it into criminal mischief. One way to avoid that, he points out is for parents to chat with their teenage kids.

“Talk to teens about respecting property and understanding that ‘harmless fun’ can quickly cross the line,” he said. “Vandalism, egging houses, or damaging decorations are crimes that carry real consequences. Encourage positive alternatives, such as organizing a costume contest or helping younger siblings trick-or-treat, instead of roaming unsupervised late at night.”

Taking safety measures on Halloween helps minimize accidents and injuries and having a law enforcement presence can help ensure fun is had by all. Case in point, deputies spotted a stalled vehicle on Halloween night a few years back on Highway 19.

“When they stopped to help, they discovered a family stranded with small children on their way home from trick-or-treating,” Layman said. “The deputy provided roadside assistance and ensured they got home safely. It was a reminder that public safety is about more than law enforcement. It’s about community care and being there when people need help.”

Other helpful tips to having a safe Halloween include carrying a flashlight or glow stick which aids in kids seeing uneven sidewalks for instance and ensures kids stand out to drivers. Additionally, Layman recommends only visiting homes that have lights on.

“A porch light is a universal signal that a home is participating in trick-or-treating. It helps keep children safe and respectful by avoiding homes that prefer privacy or may have sleeping residents, pets, or other reasons not to be disturbed,” he said.

Typical hazards law enforcement sees on Halloween, according to Layman,  include distracted or impaired drivers, barely visible pedestrians, and property damage from pranks. So, effective communication and planning ahead is strongly advised.

“Our focus is on prevention, ensuring every child gets home safely and every family enjoys the evening without incident,” Layman said.