Livingston Police warns drivers and parents to be mindful Friday night, as safety remains a priority on Halloween.
Police Chief Ray Smith said extra deputies will patrol the town, assuring children and traffic remain visible. Smith said he encourages parents to keep their children close. Smith said the weekend holiday can lead to higher volumes of traffic, so the department will put down warning signs to notify the public of the risk.
“Everybody’s getting off of work, everybody’s getting home,” Smith said. “Plans are made. It seems like it’s a lot more out there do it being on a Friday like it is or on a weekend it will be quite dense, and a lot more folks will be out, cause it is on Friday, not like in the middle of the week when others still have to go back to work the following day.”
Smith said Friday nights can create a more active population, with more people walking and driving on the roads. Smith said parents should ensure children can be seen walking across the street by holding a flashlight or wearing reflective clothing.
“Distracted driving happens a lot, especially during this time,” Smith said. “Its a very popular incident that has taken place. Everybody is looking around to see where their child is and may not see someone else crossing, cause a lot of costumes are dark.”
Smith said he encourages community members to stay close to their children and take care of one another. Smith said parents and drivers should stay mindful, remembering to keep aware and drive slow. Smith said parents should not leave their children unattended.
Don’t leave minors (to) go out on their own and be unattended, please don’t drop any child off in a neighborhood to come back later to,” Smith said. “Stay in the same neighborhood they are, we don’t know what could happen.”
Smith said parents can spot any drivers operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as they often swerve or exhibit erratic driving behaviors. Smith said report any type of bizarre driving activity, as it will help the department protect the community.
“Make sure that the vehicle is seeing that they are crossing in that area,” Smith said. “Be very mindful of crossing in an area that is not marked as a pedestrian crossing, or walking down the sides. Folks are visually one to another.”
