HPD reminds residents to be cautious driving on Halloween

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Police Department, Lt. Tim Greenwood talks about Haloween safety.

 

Transcript

James Bell  
The Hays Police Department wants everyone to have a fun but safe holiday this Halloween weekend Lt. Tim Greenwood stops by to talk a little bit about Halloween safety on this episode of The Post Podcast.

HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood  
Yeah absolutely, Haloween safety.

James Bell  
Yeah, it always adds a layer of complexity when you're out there driving or even just kind of walking around town to I would imagine.

HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood  
You know that's the big thing that I want to touch on is the challenges we have from a law enforcement perspective surrounding Halloween always come between pedestrians and vehicles and you know that's a scary good way to ruin an awesome holiday is for those accidents to take place.

James Bell  
We get pretty lucky here in Hays though I think, don't we? Like there hasn't been, that I remember over the last few years, any major accidents or incidents on Halloween.

HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood  
We do pretty good. We have had some in my career that unfortunately didn't turn out so well. But yeah, for the most part, we do have good drivers just gotta have that reminder every now and then the big one is to put the phone down whether you're a pedestrian or whether you're out with the kids you know enjoying the festivities that go along with the holiday got to put that phone down Don't be driving and looking at the photos or calling the next house you're driving to or whatnot but the dang phone down.

James Bell  
That's good advice just in general I think.

HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood  
Absolutely. So you know and we do a really good job for the most part with our pedestrian staying on the sidewalk and you know crossing at the corners. Parents good reminder if you're sending your kids out without going with them. Make sure not only looking for those cars but make eye contact with the drivers whenever possible on that corner. So that driver sees you it's really easy to get distracted especially if they're looking for a house number trying to remember where you know Joe or Bob or whoever they're going to which houses there's got to make sure they're paying attention especially pulling in out of those driveways too. You know that's always a danger zone for us.

James Bell  
Yeah, yeah. So you know for those kiddos what's uh you know, I think that a lot of that relies on them being visible any thoughts or anything you want to share on that front?

HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood  
Yeah, that's a great point make sure that those costumes are brightly colored there's a lot of highly reflective costumes out there and if you're going with the traditional witch or Goblin or whatnot that's kind of dark and mysterious make them put some of that reflective tape on you know their hands or ankles a little bit around their neck so they are reflective and visible. Got a lot of these Oh, glow sticks we used to call them I'm not sure what the official term is. But you're cracking me shake them up and they're they you know they glow kids like having fun with those and they are helping keep those kids safe when they're walking in the low light hours.

James Bell  
Okay.

HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood  
So another big thing if your kids are out walking really consider not wearing masks but going with the makeup it's those masks often fall down and you know when they're all excited about the candy and their friends and whatnot. It's really easy to get distracted by a mask whereas that makeup doesn't obstruct your vision near as much and is not near as problematic when you're out trick or treating.

James Bell  
Yeah, absolutely I remember I think it was maybe two years ago we had a pretty strong wind and one of my kids had a mask on and that's exactly what's happening but it just kept getting blown around and so instead of walking while watching where she was walking she was watching the mask and trying to figure that out.

HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood  
And we used to have in our family used as a rule you put the mask down you hit two steps for the porch other than that take that mask off so you can see so we don't lose it you know that kind of thing so just another one of those good general safety practices.

James Bell  
Very good yeah nothing groundbreaking or difficult. It's really just kind of common sense stuff that keeps everybody safe and on holidays like this. 

HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood  
Absolutely. You know the just those subtle reminders that you know, we got to do our part to help keep everybody safe. Police Department's going to be out there they're going to be working if you need something you can always holler at a police officer for some assistance. But yeah, do your part and help the community stay safe.

James Bell  
Very good. Do you guys do enhanced enforcement on that day I mean and I don't mean for the kiddos and I'm not even sure which maybe you know which day Halloween is on this year is 

HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood  
I believe it's on a Sunday this year.

James Bell  
Okay so probably not a lot of parties going on that Sunday.

HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood  
No, but I tell you what, it's always a good party, if you will, a good party night. Typically the Saturday before Halloween will see a lot of it's when he some of your bar scenes to the costume parties and that kind of thing or, or just your house parties turned into a costume party. So we do tend to do some saturation patrols on those nights that's where we have officers come in on overtime and their emphasis is to deter and detect impaired drivers. So you will see some increased activity out there. And Halloween the ghouls and goblins can get a little crazy sometimes. We've had some notable Halloweens in the past, always an exciting time to be a police officer, one of those fun weekends to work, if you will. But speaking of which we are needing more police officers. So if you're thinking about a career change, or you're a roofer that's got a pretty good record and thinking about a career change. Go to Haysusa.com and fill out an application. We need some good people out here.

James Bell  
Absolutely. And you'd be joining a group good group of people. 

HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood  
Absolutely. 

James Bell  
At least every one I've met down there.

HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood  
It's a good place to work. I enjoy it. 

James Bell  
Absolutely. All righty, sir. Well, anything else? People should know about Halloween before we move on?

HPD Lt. Tim Greenwood  
You know, I think we hit all the big spots and like you said, common sense dictates you know, just be careful and I've said it at least six times, if not more. Put the phone down. You know, you get those snapshots at home, put the phone down, have fun with the kids, watch for kids and make sure it stays a safe and happy home.