(NDG Wire) Officers of the Murphy Police Department will be out in force on the evening of Sunday, October 31 to ensure that trick-or-treaters of all ages complete their task of obtaining the maximum amount of sweets and returning home safely, according to Chief of Police G.M. Cox.
“Unfortunately, Halloween night is notoriously famous for pranks such as adorning houses and trees with toilet paper or filling mailboxes with shaving cream,” he said. While these annoyances are exasperating and bothersome, police will be vigilant for the more serious incidences of crime.
“We encourage parents to be our partners in enforcing the laws of the city, and the rules of civility. Parents are their children’s first teachers, and we hope that the lessons taught at home have been good ones,” he added.
In that respect, parents should make it a point to become aware of their children’s trick-or-treat plans before they leave the house. While parents want their kids to enjoy themselves, the minors should be reminded that there are some tricks that could hurt other people or vandalize property. Parents should emphasize the importance of not allowing the consequences of a bad decision to ruin their holiday fun.
The Murphy Police Department issues the following Halloween safety tips:
• Go out in daylight and carry a flashlight in case of delay,
• Motorists be alert for small children, remember the speed limit in residential areas is 25 miles per hour,
• Adults should accompany young children,
• Wear light-colored clothing that’s short enough to prevent tripping and add reflective tape to the sides, front and back of costume,
• Make sure children can see well through face masks, or use cosmetics to create fun or scary faces,
• Watch for traffic,
• When crossing the street be sure to look both ways for oncoming traffic,
• Avoid unwrapped candy or homemade food,
• Examine all candy or consumable goods before allowing children to consume,
• Avoid hard plastic or wood props such as daggers or swords,
• Substitute with foam rubber which is soft and flexible,
• Stay in the neighborhood and only visit homes you are familiar with,
• Keep costumed children away from pets; they may not recognize the child and become frightened,
• Remind children not to enter a strange house or car.
If you suspect that someone has ingested contaminated food or candy, contact North Texas Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If you need immediate medical attention, dial 9-1-1. The nearest emergency room is located at E. Renner Road and the George Bush Turnpike in Richardson.
“Residents can help extend the reach of the Police Department by being vigilant and reporting all suspicious activity to the Murphy Police Department at (972) 468-4236, or 9-1-1 in an emergency. As we continually say, your safety is our concern. That’s not just a slogan, it’s our commitment,” concluded the chief.
