JOINT BASE LANGLEY EUSTIS, Va. –
Joint Base Langley-Eustis law enforcement and uniformed volunteers, known as the "Pumpkin Patrol," will assist in maintaining a safe trick-or-treating environment for Service members and their families on Langley Air Force Base, Fort Eustis and Jamestown Village Housing in Hampton, October 31.
Trick or treating in Jamestown Village, Fort Eustis and Langley AFB will be open to all Service members and their families from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31.
Parents and children trick-or-treating this Halloween can easily identify Pumpkin Patrol volunteers who will be wearing their official military uniforms and brightly-colored, reflective vests or belts.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. David Williams, 633rd SFS police services noncommissioned officer in charge, will be patrolling on Halloween, as safety is paramount.
"Our number one priority is child safety and our volunteers are briefed to watch for individuals behaving out of the ordinary," said Williams. "We also want to remind families to stay in well-lit areas when trick-or-treating on or off base."
Families should immediately report any suspicious behavior or activities to security forces, such as any individuals who seem out of place or are loitering. Families benefit when everyone takes extra precautions to remain safe and report criminal activity this Halloween, said law enforcement officials.
Additionally, the 633rd Air Base Wing Safety Office will be working with security forces during the festivities, said Senior Airman Maegann Bartolome, 633rd Air Base Wing Safety Office safety technician.
"We will be out in the community handing out glow sticks to children to help keep children more visible, especially to drivers," said Bartolome.
The 633rd Air Base Wing safety officials also want drivers to be aware of their surroundings throughout the evening. Bartolome said because children are small and difficult to see at night, motorists should remain vigilant.
The Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention offers the acronym, "Safe Halloween," to help stay safe while trick-or-treating.
Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible.
Avoid trick-or-treating alone and walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating and limit the amount of treats eaten.
Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to see.
Always walk and don't run from house to house.
Look both ways before crossing the street.
Lower risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible or on the far edge of the road facing traffic.
Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.
Eat only factory-wrapped treats and avoid eating homemade treats.
Enter homes only if with a trusted adult, only visit well-lit houses and do not stop at dark houses. Never accept rides from strangers.
Never walk near lit candles or luminaries and be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.
Anyone who notices any suspicious activity should contact the 633rd SFS Emergency Control Center at 764-5091 or the 733rd Security Forces Squadron at 878-4555.