Keep trick-or-treating on JBER safe this year

Trick-or-treating will be in full swing as children at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson collect as much candy as possible.

While out, parents and children should use caution to ensure a safe Halloween.

Halloween trick-or-treating is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Multiple 673d SFS members and volunteers will be working with the Pumpkin Patrol in each housing area, wearing police vests to prevent any safety violations.

“The mission of the Pumpkin Patrol is to increase the presence of the 673d Security Forces Squadron while also engaging with the community,” said Senior Airman Kyle Grant, 673d Security Forces operations non-commissioned officer. “We are there to protect and support so the children can have a safe and fun Halloween.

“If anyone sees any suspicious activity or has an emergency while trick-or-treating, locate us during the patrol, or contact the Base Operations Center at 552-3421,” Grant said.

Even with the 673d SFS members and the volunteers, there are still hazards that people should be aware of.

Air Force Master Sgt. Trandin Watkins, 673d Air Base Wing safety superintendent, recommends exercising caution when walking along the road and ensuring parents and children are aware of their surroundings.

The speed limit is 15 mph for residential areas, and drivers should be extremely cautious of children in those areas during trick-or-treating.

Reflective items can help trick-or-treaters be seen. To increase visibility, people should carry flashlights or attach reflective gear to

their costumes.

“Here in Alaska, it gets really dark by Halloween, so parents and children need to make sure that they can be seen,” Watkins said.

JBER residents should leave their lights on to let people know where to go to receive candy.

Once parents and children have finished with their trick-or-treating adventures, before eating any of the candy, it should be reviewed to ensure that it hasn’t been tampered with.

If parents have concerns with the candy their children receive, the JBER Passenger terminal will provide X-ray screening of candy on Oct. 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. For more information, call the terminal’s dispatch at 552-3718.

Within two weeks after Halloween, JBER residents must take down holiday decorations, and all pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns must be removed immediately after the hours of trick-or-treating to prevent attracting wildlife.

The 673d SFS is taking volunteers for the Pumpkin Patrol until Oct. 28; for more information about volunteering, contact them at 552-2132 or 552-5345.

For more information about trick-or-treating on JBER, contact the safety office at 552-6850, the Wildlife Conservation office at 552-8609, or Aurora Housing at 753-1023 or 375-5515.