This Friday evening Pearl River County’s little ghouls, goblins, witches, super heroes and princesses will be haunting the city streets in search of that perfect treat.
Tomorrow is Halloween, and law enforcement officials of Picayune and Poplarville want to remind parents to remember to be safe and aware of their surroundings at all times during the evening.
Picayune Police Chief Bryan Dawsey would like to remind residents that officers will in be out in full force and assigned to each neighborhood to ensure the safety of citizens.
Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said there will be an allotted time slot for trick or treating in the city from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Magri said there will be a bevy of activity going on that evening which will cause more than the usual amount of traffic. A home football game and set up for the Picayune Fall Street Festival will take place Friday night.
“We urge all drivers to drive slowly and watch for children in the streets,” Magri said. “We ask that parents walking with trick or treaters to carry a flashlight and or wear reflective clothing.”
The police department suggests that adults and teenagers remove masks before entering a business.
“When walking through neighborhoods, make sure the house’s front porch is lit up,” Magri said. “That is generally a sign that the homeowner is participating. As always, just be safe when out and about this Halloween.”
Captain Rossi Creel with the Poplarville Police Department said that trick or treating in town will begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until 10 p.m. There will be extra officers patrolling the streets during that time.
“The Chamber is sponsoring Merchants Trick or Treat and the event lasts from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.,” Creel said.
Creel said that Merchants Trick or Treat is predominantly a downtown event but all businesses in town will be open.
There will be a block party at First Baptist Church on Main Street that evening, Creel said.
Parents and children need to be mindful of vehicles and use sidewalks and care when crossing the street, Creel said. Four-wheelers, ATVs and golf carts will not be allowed on the roads at that time, only street legal vehicles.
“My advice for homeowners, since the curfew is later this year, is to turn off their porch lights if they do not wish to participate at that late hour,” Creel said. “Safety is our biggest issue and as always we want everyone to have a good time and do so safely.”
Dr. Walter Gipson of Picayune said parents need to inspect all candy before giving it to children.
“The best type of candy is in a sealed package,” Gipson said. “If parents have any doubts about the food, don’t let the children have it.”
Parents need to be aware of the environment their children are walking in, Gipson said. Children can trip and get hurt while trick or treating.
* Due to the fact that the Picayune Street Festival will be setting up Friday evening, the Greater Area Picayune Chamber of Commerce will not be hosting Merchants Trick or Treat this year, chamber director April Lovelace said.