Mayor Spano & Yonkers Police Advise Residents on Halloween Safety Tips
To ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced the Yonkers Police Department will issue a citywide curfew for children 16 years of age and younger on Halloween night – Friday, October 31.
“Halloween is a cherished time for children across Yonkers—a night filled with imagination, excitement, and community spirit,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “To ensure that this beloved tradition remains both joyful and secure, we’re taking proactive steps to create a safe and festive environment for all. Our longstanding late-night curfew for youth is one of several measures designed to promote safety while allowing families to enjoy the evening without concern. We encourage all residents to stay alert, look out for one another, and make thoughtful choices that reflect the care we have for our neighborhoods. Together, we can make this Halloween a memorable celebration for every child and every corner of our city.”
“This Halloween, safety is our number one priority,” said Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza. “Our officers will be highly visible throughout the city to protect our children and residents. The curfew is a proactive measure to keep our neighborhoods safe and secure as the night winds down. We strongly urge parents to reinforce this curfew with their children and review basic safety rules before they head out. Let’s make a joint effort to keep our community safe for everyone celebrating.”
As part of the curfew, the Yonkers Police Department advises:
- Children ages 11 and younger must be home by 10PM
- Children ages 12 to 13 must be home by 10:30PM
- Children ages 14 to 16 must be home by 11PM
Exceptions include:
- Accompanied by parent or guardian.
- On an errand with parental permission, with prior notice to YPD Community Affairs Division – 914-377-7293
- ½ hour after the end of school, religious and volunteer public entertainment — no later than 12:30 AM unless police are notified by host organization 24 hours in advance
- ½ hour after work — with proof from employer
- All youngsters 16 and under not subject to curfew if on or immediately next to their home (and if neighbor does not object)
Violators of the curfew will be taken to the nearest Yonkers Police Precinct, and parent/guardian will be notified. For more information about the Halloween curfew, contact the Yonkers Police Department at 914-377-7923.
Following are Halloween safety tips issued by the City of Yonkers for parents, children & residents:
Parents
- Do not leave children unattended.
- Know the route your child will travel and give him or her curfew.
- Be sure children can see through their masks. Costumes should be easy to see, either made from light colors or marked for nighttime with reflective tape.
- Dispose of unwrapped candy and only keep factory-wrapped treats.
- To help plan a safe route, visit the sex offender registry at http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/nsor/
Children
- Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Try to walk in groups.
- Don’t eat anything from a trick-or-treat bag before your parents have looked at it first.
- Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult.
- Walk on sidewalks when possible and face traffic to stay safe.
- Stay away from dark streets and buildings — only visit well-lit homes.
Residents
- Drive slowly and be alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited about Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
- Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from great distances.
- Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM, so please be aware during this time.
