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Princeton Police Launch Halloween-Themed Pedestrian Safety Campaign

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Thursday, October 9th 2025 at 12:53 GMT by Patch
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Princeton Police Launch Halloween‑Themed Pedestrian Safety Campaign

As October’s chill settles over Princeton, the town’s police department has rolled out a bold, community‑focused campaign aimed at keeping kids and adults alike safe while they wander the streets for trick‑or‑treating. The initiative, unveiled on Monday at a brief press‑conference held at the police headquarters, carries the playful name “Spooktacular Safety Patrol” and is designed to make pedestrian safety a Halloween holiday tradition rather than an after‑thought.

Why a Halloween‑Specific Campaign?

According to data released by the Princeton Police Department (PPD), traffic‑related accidents involving pedestrians in the town rose by 12 percent last year, with a noticeable spike during the fall season. The department cited a series of near‑misses that occurred during earlier Halloween weekends—children darting across streets without looking, drivers speeding through residential neighborhoods, and a handful of collisions that left parents scrambling for after‑care and medical supplies.

“We’re seeing a clear pattern,” said Police Chief James Ortega, who stood before a small crowd of parents, teachers, and local business owners to explain the new program. “Every year, as the candy bags grow heavier and the streets buzz with excitement, we also see an uptick in pedestrian‑vehicle incidents. We can’t afford to let those numbers climb any higher.”

Chief Ortega noted that the campaign builds on earlier safety pushes, such as the “Walk Safely, Drive Responsibly” program that ran in the summer. “This time, we’re taking a theme that resonates with kids—Halloween. By embedding safety into a fun narrative, we hope to get kids to remember the right steps and keep them on the path.”

What the Campaign Looks Like

The Spooktacular Safety Patrol is set to run from October 20th through Halloween night, with a series of coordinated efforts across the town:

1. Pumpkin‑Shaped Signage and Road Markers
   - Bright, glow‑in‑the‑dark pumpkins and skull‑shaped crosswalk markers will be installed along Main Street, Elm Avenue, and the route most frequently used by trick‑or‑treaters.
   - Each marker will feature a reminder: “Look Left, Look Right, Slow Down.”

2. Safety Walk‑Throughs at Schools
   - Local elementary schools (Ewing Elementary, Princeton School, and Maple Grove) will hold “Safety Walk‑Throughs” during lunch breaks, where students practice crossing streets with a teacher’s guidance.
   - The school district’s Superintendent, Lisa McKenna, said the walks also serve to reinforce the idea that “school safety extends into the community.”

3. “Spooky” Traffic Stops
   - PPD officers will patrol key intersections during peak trick‑or‑treat hours (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and will use flashing lights and friendly costumes to catch drivers’ attention.
   - Officers will also distribute reflective tape and mini lanterns to children who wear them, making them more visible to motorists.

4. Social Media and Video Campaign
   - A short video featuring Officer Ortega and a few local children—wearing Halloween costumes—demonstrates the three‑step pedestrian protocol.
   - The video, posted on the PPD’s Facebook and Instagram feeds, has already accumulated over 1,200 likes and 300 shares in the first two days.

5. Community “Trick‑or‑Treat Safety” Workshops
   - The town hall will host a workshop on October 22nd, where parents and caregivers can learn how to set up safe routes in their neighborhoods and how to teach kids to look both ways before stepping off a curb.
   - The workshop is free, and snacks will be served (pumpkin‑seed butter cookies, naturally).

6. Digital Resources
   - The PPD’s website has a dedicated page (https://www.princetonpolice.org/halloween-safety) where residents can download printable posters, safety checklists, and a “Neighborhood Safety Patrol” sign‑up sheet.

Partnerships that Make It Happen

While the PPD is the engine behind the campaign, several local stakeholders are helping to spin it into a town‑wide effort:

• Princeton School District – Provides school‑yard space for safety walks and supplies flyers for classrooms.
• Princeton Chamber of Commerce – Offers sponsorship to place safety signs in business parking lots and includes a “Safety Spot” designation for participating stores.
• Princeton Police Academy – Young officers volunteer to lead the traffic stop patrols, giving them hands‑on experience while reinforcing their own safety knowledge.
• Local Media – The Princeton Star and the Patch article itself (the source of this summary) are amplifying the message through interviews and editorials.

“It’s a collective effort,” said City Manager Angela Ruiz. “Every corner of Princeton has a stake in keeping our community safe. And we’re doing it in a way that’s fun and memorable for kids.”

The Expected Impact

The PPD’s preliminary goals for the campaign include:

• A 25 percent reduction in pedestrian‑vehicle incidents during the October month compared with the same period last year.
• At least 3,000 families participating in the “Spooky Traffic Stops” and safety workshops.
• Distribution of 2,500 reflective safety items (tape and lanterns) to children across the town.

“We’ve got a target, and we’ve got the community behind us,” Chief Ortega affirmed. “The numbers will speak for themselves in early November. But beyond the stats, we hope to see a cultural shift—parents more vigilant, kids more careful, drivers more attentive.”

How You Can Get Involved

If you’re a Princeton resident, the best way to support the campaign is to participate in one or more of the following:

1. Attend the October 22nd Workshop – Bring a child and learn practical safety tips.
2. Volunteer as a Safety Patrol Member – Contact the PPD volunteer coordinator at volunteer@princetonpolice.org.
3. Spread the Word – Share the campaign’s social media posts, especially the “Look Left, Look Right, Slow Down” video.
4. Follow the PPD on Social Media – Receive daily reminders leading up to Halloween.
5. Check Your Neighborhood – Look for the new pumpkin‑shaped crosswalks and signage.

As Chief Ortega wrapped up the briefing, he emphasized that the goal was not only to keep the streets safe but to give children a chance to enjoy Halloween with fewer worries. “If we can protect our kids this Halloween, that’s a win,” he said. “Let’s make sure it’s a night of spooks and smiles, not spills and scrapes.”

The Spooktacular Safety Patrol has officially begun, and the town’s streets are now marked by bright pumpkins, friendly police officers, and a community‑wide pledge to keep pedestrians—especially the youngest ones—safe. The countdown to Halloween starts at 5 p.m., and with this campaign, Princeton is hoping to make it a truly safe and spooky celebration for all.