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 – Thursday, October 31.
“Yonkers children love the magic of Halloween, which is why we are taking a proactive approach in providing a safe, fun-filled night for our communities,” said Mayor Spano. “Our traditional late-night curfew on young people will allow for a memorable and safe Halloween for our community. We are asking residents to be vigilant, stay safe, and make smart choices. “
“This Halloween, our priority is the safety of everyone celebrating,” said Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza. “Please wear reflective clothing if possible, stay in well-lit areas, and report any suspicious activity. Parents, please accompany young children and review safety rules before heading out. Drivers, be extra cautious on the roads, as trick-or-treaters may be harder to see. We’re asking our teenagers to respect neighborhood rules and stick to the curfew. Let’s work together to make Halloween a fun, safe event for all.”
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.
