By Haley Mitchell Godwin

With Halloween right around the corner, Crenshaw County law enforcement is stepping up to ensure a fun and safe night of trick-or-treating. Captain Mason Adcock, assistant chief of the Luverne Police Department and Brantley Police Chief Titus Averett, shared some key safety tips for families to follow. 

Crenshaw County Sheriff Terry Mears also emphasized extra caution, especially in rural areas, advising that trick-or-treaters should only visit houses they are extremely familiar with where people will be expecting them.

One of the top concerns addressed is the importance of visibility when trick-or-treating.

“It’s a good idea for kids’ costumes to have some reflective material on them,” Adcock said. “A glow stick attached to their candy bag helps make the children more visible to motorists as well.”

Adcock advised against costumes with hats or masks that obstruct a child’s view, stressing that parents should remind their children to stay alert for traffic.

Chief Averett echoed these safety concerns.

“Parents should certainly put a lighting device on their children and explain to them why it is so vital that they be cautious of moving vehicles,” Averett said. “Vigilance is key when dealing with traffic during trick-or-treating, particularly on U.S. Highway 331, a road with significant traffic.”

Both departments will have extra patrols on duty, with officers on foot in Luverne to help ensure everyone enjoys a safe Halloween. 

“We always put out extra patrols during trick-or-treating and really keep our eyes out for any potential problems,” Adcock said. “If these safety tips are put into action, any opportunities for problems to arise will be eliminated.”

Averett and Adcock shared a few other helpful safety guidelines for parents and trick-or-treaters:

Only visit homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or vehicle for treats.

Keep electronic devices down, stay alert and walk — don’t run — from house to house using sidewalks whenever possible.

Wait until returning home to eat any candy and have it checked by an adult. Discard any questionable candy or items.

Young children should always be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Older children trick-or-treating alone should stick to familiar, well-lit areas, follow a planned route, and return home by an agreed time.

For drivers, the officers recommend exercising extreme caution: Drive slowly and don’t pass stopped vehicles. Yield to pedestrians, especially children, who may dart into the street unexpectedly. Use turn signals, activate hazard lights when stopping, and enter or exit driveways and alleys carefully.

Avoid distractions such as cell phones. It only takes a second for an accident to happen.

Trick-or-treating in Luverne is scheduled for Oct. 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. In Brantley, trick or treating will be Oct. 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.