Crime & Safety

Halloween in Full Swing in Los Gatos

Police urge drivers to slow down and remember children and parents out trick-or-treating tonight.

Police officials also ask motorists to keep in mind that children move in unpredictable patterns, may appear unexpectedly and their costumes may limit their ability to see drivers.

Parents and guardians are expected to hit the local streets at around 4 or 5 p.m. for younger children, with older kids coming out much later today for the annual Halloween ritual of going door to door in search of the best candy.

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Law enforcement personnel also suggest drivers take extra care regarding daily driving distractions. "No texting or cell phone use, no eating or drinking, no reaching for the radio or object on the floor or backseat," the department wrote in a press release that's posted on the town's website.

Finally, police urge drivers to turn their headlights earlier than normal since children begin trick-or-treating while it is still light outside.

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A street will close off in the downtown area off of for the Fright Night, , according to parent Wendy Doty.

After hitting the area around , many children will then visit the popular Blossom Manor neighborhood located behind on Los Gatos Boulevard, Doty explained.

Trick-or-treating will go on until about 8:30 p.m. for younger children and later for older kids, she added.

In the meantime, for nightime revelers, AAA's Tipsy Tow Program will be offering free tow for drinking drivers from 6 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 1.

The public can call 1-800-222-4357 or AAA-HELP to get the free ride, regardless of AAA membership.

According to California Office of Traffic Safety spokesman Chris Cochran, Halloween carries a double whammy of scariness, ranking as both the day with the highest number of child pedestrian deaths, and one of the holidays with the highest number of DUI deaths. 

The number of deaths among pedestrians ages 5 to 14 is four times higher between 4 and 10 p.m. on Halloween than on any other evening of the year.

“Halloween is meant to be a time of fun for kids and adults alike,” said OTS Director Christopher J. Murphy. “A little planning ahead, plus some extra caution that night, can keep everyone safe on our streets this year.”


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