Police Increase Halloween Patrols Across Maryland

MARYLAND — Police will be out in force Halloween night to protect trick-or-treaters and to keep roads safe from drunken drivers. From local to state police, law enforcement officers will be patrolling around Maryland on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

"Knowing the frequency of impaired driving increases during this period, we are increasing our impaired driving patrols," State Police Superintendent Colonel William Pallozzi said in a statement. "Our troopers are part of a coordinated law enforcement effort statewide to reduce this threat."

Police across the state are using grant funding from the Maryland Department of Transportation to put more officers on the road for Halloween, officials said.

Troopers will be stationed where crashes or impaired driving arrests tend to be concentrated. Their focus will be on identifying impaired drivers and taking them off the road, according to Maryland State Police.

The Maryland Transportation Authority reports its officers will also be out patrolling the roads, and it noted the most dangerous hours for pedestrian crashes with young people are between 4 and 8 p.m. on Halloween.

"Motorists and pedestrians should look up and look out at all times," Lt. Bryan Oden of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police said in a special Halloween safety message. He advised pedestrians to use sidewalks and crosswalks, wear reflective clothing and carry flashlights. He said the Maryland Transportation Authority would be increasing patrols for the occasion.

"Don't let Halloween become a nightmare for you or others," Oden said. "Put safety first."

Drinkers are encouraged designate a sober driver or get the Safer Ride app, which is sponsored by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and pulls up taxi services in the area.

The cost of an impaired driving arrest can be approximately $10,000 in legal fees, lost wages, fines and other related expenses, according to Maryland State Police.

Police in multiple jurisdictions plan to increase patrols for Halloween.

In Howard County, officers will be on the lookout for speeders as well as any acts of vandalism, theft and property destruction.

Here are some safety tips:

Parents

• Establish a route for kids before they go out.
• Remind children not to go inside the home or car of a stranger.
• Encourage kids to trick-or-treat with a group, and before dark. Sunset is 6:06 p.m. in central Maryland, with dusk falling after 6:30 p.m.
• Remind children not to cut through backyards or alleys and only to visit homes with lights on.
• Accompany young children.
• Review the principle of "stop, drop and roll" in the event clothing catches fire.
• Ask kids to check in by phone periodically and tell them to call 911 if they have an emergency or get lost.
• Inspect candy before trick-or-treaters dig in. Some places in Maryland are x-raying candy for free.

Residents

• Turn on porch lights and clear walkways.
• Keep candles, leaves, hoses, toys and lawn ornaments out of the path.
• Confine pets so they are not spooked by trick-or-treaters and vice versa.

Trick-or-Treaters

• Keep costumes short to avoid tripping.
• Wear masks that don't limit eyesight.
• Use reflective material or flashlights/glow sticks to ensure visibility.
• Look left, right and left again before crossing the street and continue looking both ways while crossing.
• Carry emergency ID (with name/address/phone) with Halloween costumes or on a bracelet.

Drivers

• Drive slowly.
• Be prepared to stop at any time; trick-or-treaters may dart out.
• Put down the devices; concentrate on the road.
• Clean the windshield so you can see.
• Do not drink and drive. Use the Safer Ride app to find a taxi service.

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Drunk driving fatality flyers courtesy of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Main image via Shutterstock.