Tampa Police Invite Kids To Trick Or Treat With A Cop

TAMPA, FL — Trick-or-treaters can expect to see a significant police presence in Tampa neighborhoods during Halloween.

Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan launched the Trick-or-Treat with a Cop initiative in 2017, and the tradition continues this year in neighborhoods citywide. Officers will take to the streets on foot, bicycle and even horseback in residential areas where trick-or-treaters are known to frequent.

In addition to keeping a watchful eye, officers will hand out candy to the little ghouls and goblins they meet while on patrol.

At 5 p.m., the Tampa Police Mounted Patrol will head to Woodland Terrace Park while the K9 squad will be at Spring Hill Park. Dugan will join the trick-or-treating fun with kids in Giddens Park at 7 p.m. where he will also judge a costume contest.

Tampa Police officers will gather near the Tampa Greyhound Track at 6 p.m. for a briefing related to their duties ensuring that sex offenders are complying with restrictions against unsupervised contact with minors.

The annual Spooky Business Halloween Operation is part of Tampa Police Department's larger effort to remind sexual offenders and predators of what they must do to avoid contact with minors, especially on Halloween night when children are going door to door for Halloween treats.

Depending on their court-ordered restrictions, the sex offenders will be reminded not to distribute Halloween treats, not to display Halloween decorations and not to answer the door if trick-or-treaters show up at their doorstep.

Tampa Police anticipate making 186 visits tonight. There are 850 registered sex offenders in the city. Officers have been making visits and notifying sex offenders all week.