Halloween festivities brought costumes, treats, and excitement to local schools on Tuesday, October 31st, with students enjoying parades and parties in celebration of the holiday.

But alongside the fun, local law enforcement and school resource officers are preparing for a safe Halloween night, ramping up efforts to protect trick-or-treaters, property, and even political signs with Election Day around the corner.

At Warren Area Elementary Center, students took part in a school-wide parade to mark the occasion.

Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Quigley noted that with mild weather expected, officials are stepping up their patrols to ensure the community’s safety. “It’s going to be a nicer night,” Quigley said. “Usually this time of year, we have snowy or rainy weather, but at the end of the day, we want to make sure that we have fun and understand that people’s property is important. There might be some signs outside for the political campaigns, or decorations, but we all need to leave them alone and be mindful of other's property.”

The Conewango Township Police Department also confirmed that extra patrols would be in place, focusing on neighborhoods with high trick-or-treat activity. Officer Charles Andersen explained their priority is to maintain a safe environment. “We are just trying to keep the roadways as safe as possible and prevent any tragedies from happening, if we can,” Andersen said.

Local officers are also reminding parents to take basic safety precautions, like checking candy before children eat it and ensuring younger kids are accompanied by adults.

Alongside watching out for kids, police say they’ll be on alert for any potential mischief, such as vandalism or tampering with political signs, as Election Day nears.

With these precautions in place, Warren County law enforcement hopes everyone will have a Halloween that’s both spooky and safe.