With the Giants World Series Championship parade falling on the same day as Halloween, the San Francisco police chief issued some advice Thursday about how to make the holiday celebrations safer.
Sgt. Monica Mcdonald said Halloween is normally a busier time of year because of the number of people out on the streets, but today is expected to be especially busy.
“Some of those folks may remain and continue the celebration and roll right into Halloween while others may go home and take their kids trick-or-treating,” Mcdonald said. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”
There will be more officers on the streets to manage the crowds, she said. Typically, the department assigns more officers on Halloween when calls for assistance are higher.
There are no scheduled Halloween events though, Mcdonald said, adding, “We hope people celebrate responsibly.”
San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr issued the following tips for
parents and trick-or-treaters:
– Children should be accompanied by adults
– Use sidewalks and if sidewalks are not present, walk towards oncoming traffic
– Look both ways before crossing the street and use crosswalks
– Use reflective tape on costumes or carry and use a flashlight
– To reduce the risk of trips and falls, avoid wearing masks or costumes that limit your vision and movement
– Examine all treats for choking hazards or tampering
– Only eat factory-wrapped treats
For motorists, Suhr issued the following tips:
– Watch out for children
– Obey traffic signs and signals
– Reduce your speed, especially in residential areas where children are likely to be present
– Be prepared to stop if someone darts out mid-block or between cars
– Don’t text and drive and avoid being distracted by electronic devices
Anyone who sees something suspicious or out of the ordinary is asked to call the police at (415) 553-0123.
Erin Baldassari, Bay City News
