Crime

Lexington police urge parents, kids and motorists to be careful on Halloween

By Jim Warren - jwarren@herald-leader.com

One of the pumpkins on display as part of Pumpkin Mania on the front steps of Old Morrison on the Transylvania University campus in Lexington, Ky., Monday, October 29, 2012. From the Transylvania University website-"Last year, 250 jack-o-lanterns, carved by faculty, staff, students, and members of the community, lit up the steps of Old Morrison. This year, Transylvania hopes to have even more pumpkins. The pumpkins will be lit on Friday, October 26, at 7 p.m. and remain on display through Halloween night. The university hopes the annual display will be a great way to connect with our neighbors and the Lexington community as a whole." As of this morning, the total remains about the same as last year although some jack o lanterns are still being added. Photo by Charles Bertram | Staff
One of the pumpkins on display as part of Pumpkin Mania on the front steps of Old Morrison on the Transylvania University campus in Lexington, Ky., Monday, October 29, 2012. From the Transylvania University website-"Last year, 250 jack-o-lanterns, carved by faculty, staff, students, and members of the community, lit up the steps of Old Morrison. This year, Transylvania hopes to have even more pumpkins. The pumpkins will be lit on Friday, October 26, at 7 p.m. and remain on display through Halloween night. The university hopes the annual display will be a great way to connect with our neighbors and the Lexington community as a whole." As of this morning, the total remains about the same as last year although some jack o lanterns are still being added. Photo by Charles Bertram | Staff Herald-Leader

With thousands of trick-or-treaters ready to hit Lexington's streets Thursday night, police are urging kids, parents and motorists to be extra careful.

Trick-or-treating will be held in Lexington from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

With the National Weather Service saying heavy rain and storms are possible, some cities have been considering changing the schedule for trick-or-treating.

Lexington police officer Bige Towery III said kids should wear light colors or put reflective tape on costumes to increase visibility. Masks should not hinder vision, or kids should use face paint instead, Towery said.

Carry a flashlight, stay on sidewalks, don't run, cross only at crosswalks, and never walk between cars.

Towery also said children should walk with their parents or stay in groups, never enter homes without parental permission, and always have parents check treats before eating them.

Drivers should stay sober, slow down and look out for kids, Towery said Tuesday. The weather could make that doubly important Thursday, he said.

"Visibility will be an issue. There may be long raincoats and umbrellas that could pose additional hazards," he said. "Just take the time and be safe."

Danville reschedules

The city of Danville and other Boyle County communities have moved trick-or-treating activities to Friday, The Advocate Messenger reported. Will Lexington consider doing the same? Susan Straub, a spokeswoman for Lexington city government, said Tuesday night: "Folks have made plans and the last thing we want to do is change the date, barring extreme weather."

Karla Ward

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