The Ocean City Police Department wants everyone t0 have a safe and enjoyable Halloween. To help families better enjoy this annual event, here are a few safety tips that can be followed when trick-or-treating:
- Wear reflective clothing
- Stay in large groups
- Young children should be accompanied by an adult
- Obey the pedestrian safety laws — it is dark, and vehicle drivers may not see you
- Carry a flashlight
- Costumes should not restrict visibility
- Do not open any candy until you get home and your parents inspect the items
- Report any suspicious person or activity to the police immediately
Police also would like to advise all residents that any act of criminal mischief during the upcoming Halloween will be handled with a zero tolerance. Persons taken into custody for any violations will be subject to the appropriate action under the New Jersey Criminal Code, city ordinance or juvenile courts. Please accept this as your only warning.
In previous years, the Ocean City Police Department has been proactive in working within the school community and neighborhoods to keep these acts of vandalism to a minimum. Chief Chad Callahan requests the cooperation of the parents in assisting the community in preventing property damage from occurring. Extra officers will be on patrol in areas that have been identified as having problems in previous years.
Many persons have felt that some acts are acceptable and just harmless fun. These acts include, but are not limited to: egg-throwing, toilet paper and shaving cream. Persons that have been the victims of these acts do not consider them as harmless fun. These incidents create property damage and are a major inconvenience to the homeowner that results in a financial hardship for the cleanup of the material left behind.
The Ocean City Police Department asks for everyone to cooperate with making this a safe and enjoyable Halloween.
— News release from the Ocean City Police Capt. Steven Ang
