This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Officer Trabulsy's Tips for a Happy Halloween

It's the final week before Halloween and Patch has you covered for all the new trends, information, and tips you will need to make the best of the spooky holiday.

We're starting a Halloween countdown. The big day is only one week away, and Patch wants to make sure you are ready.  

Today we are going to discuss Halloween safety tips with help from Officer Rick Trabulsy, Crime Prevention/Community Relations and Safety Specialist of the .

Children should:

Find out what's happening in West Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Always trick-or-treat in groups.
  • Wear reflective clothing.  
  • Wear make up not masks, so their vision is not hindered.
  • Never go into the house of someone they do not know.
  • Never eat homemade or home packaged items unless they come from someone they know well.
  • Trick-or-treat in groups.  Try to get older kids to take younger kids with them.
  • Be careful crossing the street. Cross at corners and crosswalks if possible.

Parents should:

  • Check the Michigan State Police sex offender registry by running your zip code, and avoid trick-or-treating at these homes.
  • Give children a light snack before sending them out, so they don't snack from their goody bag.
  • Check the goodies before they are eaten. Unwrapped candy and anything suspicious looking should be thrown away.
  • Remember children under the age of nine should be accompanied by an adult.

West Bloomfield nothing to fear for parents

Lt. Tim Diamond said that while parents would be well-advised to follow these safety tips and to be extra cautious while walking — "there's just not a lot of subdivisions with sidewalks, so you'll be walking in the street" — that West Bloomfield Police historically haven't dealt with much crime around Halloween in particular.

Find out what's happening in West Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It's just another night like a weekend or any other summer night when the kids are out of school. It hasn't been a huge issue for us. Usually what we hear of is a bullying-type situation where an older kid is taking candy from a young kid — in which case, we'd advise parents to stay with their kids at all times, especially younger ones," Diamond said last week.

Diamond added that extra patrols will be on duty specifically in subdivisions on Halloween night — but that they won't be asking for candy.

"I've already advised our afternoon shift that day to take their lunch break before or after 6-to-8 that night, because those are the recommended (trick-or-treat) hours from the township," he said.

Check back in with the West Bloomfield Patch tomorrow for more information on Halloween in West Bloomfield.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from West Bloomfield