All's Well for All Hallows' Eve

Keeping the kids (and everyone else) safe on Halloween

By Ross Boissoneau | Oct. 21, 2023

Halloween can be a frightening time, what with ghosts and goblins, Freddy and Jason. But as long as the kids are safe and criminal mischief is kept to a minimum, it should be a happy holiday.

That’s the hope for folks around the region, from law enforcement to those hosting community parties. “We don’t have a serious uptick” in crime, says Grand Traverse County Undersheriff Randy Fewless. “That’s not the case here.”

Not-so Devilish Behavior

Though that doesn’t mean the police aren’t on alert. Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea says there are more officers present during Halloween to make sure everyone stays safe. “We make ourselves apparent. The overall officer presence tends to dampen it,” he says in reference to any untoward activity.

That’s true for both Halloween and the preceding Devil’s Night, when there is also an increase in personnel on patrol. Shea says it would be naïve to think that because the region is a more rural area and the last several years have seen fewer incidents locally and nationally that nothing will happen. “Our offices are aware of Devil’s Night. We make ourselves apparent. Do we have the burning of buildings like in some metro areas? No we don’t, thank God,” says Shea.

He believes the increased presence helps mitigate any destructive activity. “On Devil’s Night, they might TP a tree,” he says.

Kalkaska County Sheriff Patrick Whiteford agrees that this region has seen less damaging behavior than the reports in the past from cities like Detroit or Chicago. “Historically, people would go out and be destructive” on Devil’s Night, says Whiteford. “That’s not what we’ve seen in the last decade or so.”

He wants to keep it that way. Whiteford says officers patrol through neighborhoods and reserve officers and volunteers are brought in to help keep everyone safe. “So their presence is seen. It’s not the normal day-to-day,” he says. “We focus on the subdivisions.”

Whiteford says Halloween is also an opportunity for the Sheriff’s Department to forge more connections with the community. “We hand out candy,” he says. “I think the deputies enjoy the community. The kids are out, and they’re happy to see you interacting.”

While there are plenty of zombies and vampires roaming the streets, Whiteford says there haven’t been any real spooky goings-on as long as he’s been around. But he will continue to be vigilant. “We have yet to capture the Dogman,” he says. “We keep our eyes open.”

Drive Like Your Ghouls Live Here

Fewless emphasizes that it’s not only law enforcement who can take part in safety measures, but those out celebrating too. “There’s an obligation for all of us to take part in safety,” says Fewless.

For example, drivers need to make sure they’re aware that there will be more pedestrians around. Whiteford says the fact it continues to get darker earlier means it’s even more important to make sure that those who are out and about are visible, no matter the age.

“We encourage trick-or-treaters to wear reflective costumes or carry light sticks so cars and people can see them,” he says.

Fewless and Shea stress that the high number of people who are walking door to door or driving from one destination to another means it is especially important that everyone do their part. “Look out for kids—do your due diligence on the road. Also for trick-or-treaters, be as safe as possible and do not go into the roadways,” Fewless says.

“I’d add general awareness. Don’t assume drivers see you,” adds Shea. “Drivers, assume children could pop out at any moment. That’s what kids do.”

Celebrate with a Coven

One trend in keeping with less hazardous Halloweens is the hosting of community parties in lieu of (or sometimes in addition to) traditional house-to-house trick or treating. “Trick-or-treat events are a great asset. One location is safer,” says Whiteford.

Erica Kozlowski, the director of children and youth ministries at Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City, coordinates the church’s Trunk or Treat each year. The event has taken place the past six years.

“When I first started in my position with the church in 2017, I wanted to host an event that would be an outreach into the community,” she says. “We always host the same day as the downtown Halloween Walk, the last Saturday of the month, as people are already in the area.”

This year, the event takes place Oct. 28 from 10-11:30am. Children, teens, and adults are welcome. “We have trunks to trunk or treat at, simple games to win prizes, a photo booth, and more,” Kozlowski says. “It’s also super fun to see how everyone decks out their car and dresses up!” It typically draws 150-250 kids.

In Empire, Halloween Trunk or Treat replaced the town’s annual Halloween party when COVID struck. “We decided it was not safe to have that many kids inside at once,” says March Dye, who coordinates the festivities.

Hosted by the nonprofit Empire Area Community Center, the village closes down the main street and pedestrians wander down the street while around 30 cars offer candies and treats. It takes place on Halloween from 5 to 7pm.

The Empire event has been a hit. “It was so successful we decided not to go back to the town hall,” says Linda Payment, who assists Dye with the event. “We get all ages. At the town hall, we only got young kids. Now in the street we get teens, parents—it’s a fun night, and it’s all over by 7pm.”

Even those who park their cars join in the fun. “The adults are in costume too. It’s a wonderful community event,” says Dye. She expects at least as much participation this year as last year, when there were 30 cars and an estimated 250 people in attendance.