City officials offer tips to residents to help them enjoy a safe Halloween on October 31st.
Authorities remind residents that the city will enforce the Curfew Ordinance for unaccompanied minors under age 18, who are more than 100 yards from their residence between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
“It is important for residents to be safety-conscious at all times, particularly on Halloween night, when children are out on our streets trick-or-treating.” Mayor Baraka said. “I encourage all Newark residents and visitors to follow the safety tips provided by our Department of Public Safety to ensure that Halloween is a fun and safe time for everyone.”
“Children should be accompanied and closely monitored by a parent or a responsible adult on Halloween and at all times,” Director Ambrose said. “We will ensure an ample police presence to abate any safety issues that may arise. Just be aware that officers will also be enforcing the city’s curfew ordinance.”
“Halloween is a special time for many Newark children, and the Police Division will work diligently to ensure that all of our Trick-or-Treaters participate wisely,” said Chief Henry. “With the added support of our community members, our children will enjoy a safe Halloween.”
The public is urged to follow the below list of Halloween safety tips:
PARENTAL TIPS
Children under 12 years of age should always be accompanied by an adult.
Do not use open flame candles in jack-o-lanterns. Commercially available battery-powered lights are much safer and do not pose a fire hazard.
Children should be supervised when pumpkin carving.
Do not hand out homemade or unwrapped candies to children.
Parents should plan a route for their child to use for trick-or-treating and set an early time for their child to return home.
To welcome trick-or-treaters, switch on porch lights or any exterior lights.
REMIND YOUR CHILDREN, WHEN TRICK OR TREATING:
Do not go inside anyone’s house. Remain on the stoop or porch at all times.
Do not go into a stranger’s automobile.
Do not take shortcuts through backyards, alleys, or parks.
Walk, don’t run, when crossing the street. Be sure to look both ways. Do not cross in between cars.
Always use the sidewalk.
Trick-or-treat on well-lit streets within your neighborhood and always travel in a group.
Use the buddy system, and make sure you have at least one buddy with you the entire evening.
When you return home, have an adult examine and discard all candies that are not factory sealed or wrapped by the candy manufacturer. Never eat homemade or unwrapped treats. Never accept candy from strangers.
Carry a cell phone or spare change to call home in case of an emergency. Call 911 in the event of an emergency.
Newark City Ordinance, 20:2-4, Curfew for Minors, states it shall be unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years to loiter within the confines of the City or to be more than 100 yards from his or her place of residence between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The provisions of this ordinance do not apply to any minor accompanied by his or her parent, guardian or other adult person having care of custody of the minor, or when the minor is upon an emergency errand required to preserve the life of a person. It also excludes minors who are traveling to and from work, extracurricular school activities, activities sponsored by religious or community-based organizations and other cultural educational and social events.
Officials say any juvenile found to be in violation of the ordinance along with the parent or guardian will be issued a written warning that will be kept on file with the Police Division for a period of six months.
A second infraction during that period will result in the arrest of the juvenile. If within six months from the second infraction the juvenile is found in violation of the ordinance, the juvenile and the parent or guardian will be summonsed to appear in court before a judge.
Fines can range from $100 to $1,000.