PORT JERVIS, NY — At the Port Jervis Common Council meeting on October 25, many councilmembers praised the 69th annual Halloween Parade that took place on Sunday, October 25. Recreation Chair Bob Waligroski said, “Three hundred or more attended the event.”

The parade started from Hammond Street in front of City Hall, and ended at Farnum Park and the Farnum haunted house, where apple cider and doughnuts were served.

Councilmembers David Bavoso, Robert Richie and Stan Siegel all praised the success of the Halloween parade, but also cautioned about the upcoming Halloween weekend when lots of kids and adults are anticipated to go trick-or-treating, especially since it’s a Saturday.

One councilmember reported with a chuckle that a fire truck that was responding to an actual fire call was thought by many kids to be part of the parade.

Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden sent out an email with tips on how to keep safe during Halloween season. He wrote:

“As children take to the streets on Halloween to trick-or-treat, their risk of being injured by motorists increases greatly. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Halloween is consistently one of the top three days for pedestrian injuries and fatalities, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that children are four times more likely to be struck by a motor vehicle on Halloween than any other day of the year. Because excited trick-or-treaters often forget about safety, motorists and parents must be even more alert.

“This year, Halloween lands on a Saturday, which will result in increased numbers of trick-or-treaters and Halloween revelers during the weekend. Port Jervis Police Department and Fire Department personnel will be providing high visibility patrols throughout Halloween. In an effort to promote safety awareness, officers with the Port Jervis Police Department and the Town of Deerpark Police Department are providing Halloween safety tips and reflective Halloween bags to Port Jervis pre-schools and elementary schools. On Halloween, Detective Robertson will be distributing glow sticks to children to help increase visibility as he conducts patrols throughout the city.”

AAA of New York and the Port Jervis City Police Department urge motorists to slow down on Halloween night and watch out for children who may not be paying attention to traffic. They also urge parents to make sure their children are wearing bright, reflective colors in costumes and on treat buckets to improve visibility.