Halloween Safety Tips from Cobb Police

The  wishes to remind the community that Halloween is fast approaching. Halloween is fun for people of all ages, but it's important that you and your children remain safe. These simple tips will help make your Halloween celebration better than ever.

Police expect trick-or-treaters to be out during normal evening hours—"9:30 p.m. at the latest. If you see people out later, we encourage you to call 911,"  Sgt. Dana Pierce told Patch.

Trick-or-treaters should use sidewalks and driveways and avoid the street. Parents need to manage their children appropriately. Kids should use flashlights while walking.

Drivers need to use extra caution while driving through communities on Halloween night.

Pierce said residents who notice suspicious vehicles need to report them. Residents can help police find the vehicle by telling police "CYMBAL":

• Color.
• Year.
• Make.
• Body.
• And.
• License plate number.

Close your garage doors. Lock your automobiles. The No. 1 crime in our community is entering auto (theft of belongings out of cars), according to Cobb police.

If you see people cutting through lawns or loitering at the back of houses, or people not associated with trick-or-treating, call the police.

"We will have officers covering all beats. Residents will see an increase in police presence due to neighborhoods that hire part-time police to patrol subdivisions," Pierce said.

Cobb County Police Precinct 4 has seen an increase in vandalism throughout various neighborhoods including damage to mailboxes, egging homes and cars, and breaking landscape lights. Most of the time, teens commit those crimes.

Please help spread the word that it is not just a prank, but also a crime to intentionally damage someone else’s property. If a teen is 17 or older, he or she will be charged as an adult. If the damage exceeds $500, the charge is a felony.

"And, if found guilty, the felony will be permanently on their record," Pierce said.