Before the Jays try to wrap up the world series tonight, two more teams will be working hard to keep things safe instead of just scary for Halloween.
Police and volunteers will be out on the streets on Belleville for the Safe Streets Program, with the OPP and Belleville Police also out in force across the region.
On a night known for tricks as well as treats, we should be very thankful both for those who serve and protect and for those who give of their time tonight while the rest of us are handing out candy.
After covering the local scene for more than 30 years, I can honestly tell you that the hype around potential dangers on Halloween is all too real.
While most activity is both legal and harmless, there have been more than a few All Hallows Eve’s that were memorable in Quinte for all the wrong reasons.
Programs like Safe Streets exist for a reason. We WANT people to feel safe when they are going door to door tonight, and for people wearing costumes and masks to be more entertaining than scary.
Police will also be out to ensure that drivers especially pay a little extra attention to the boys and ghouls who may be more focused on their next sugar high than exactly where they should cross the road.
Halloween is a magical night of fun and whimsy, but it could be a little safer and more enjoyable for everyone if we just tried a little harder to help out the people tonight who are wearing uniforms with badges instead of costumes.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
(PAUL MARTIN)
