The Halloween season is a fun but scary time in Oxford, and the Oxford Police Department also wants to make sure it’s safe. 

Even though local parents continue to accompany their children for trick or treating, problems can arise such as inattentive driving from texting and driving or the darkness of the late October evenings.

According to Lieutenant Lara Fening, the Oxford Police Department sends messages about events and activities to bring awareness that pedestrians are walking about and certain streets will be blocked. 

“Halloween parades or trick or treating are the most popular events in Oxford,” said Lt. Fening. The annual Halloween parade organizers and officers take precautions by containing certain blocks and providing traffic control for local residents and their children. 

During the night of trick or treating, officers will split up through the town and be responsible for areas making sure people are paying attention. Police cars will remain visible with lights on constantly to bring alert to pedestrians and also bring caution to drivers to control speeding and other arising failures, according to Lt. Fening. 

Practicing safety during Halloween in Oxford involves various strategies that reflect different parenting styles. Audrey Smith is a local Oxford mom to a 5-year-old toddler. She shared her experiences during the Halloween season for the past few years.

For the Smiths, their approach emphasizes vigilance: “We practice being safe around strangers, like never being alone and knowing what to say if someone asks you to go with them.”

When looking at activities for local parents during the Halloween season, Smith shared her positive experiences in Oxford. “My child particularly loves the uptown trick or treat! And it seems there is a police presence in any neighborhood I have been to with my child,” said Smith. 

Some tips for other local parents during this next season would be to be attentive of their children when attending these events at night. Smith said she and other parents carry flashlights or light up toys for extra safety.