Overview
- Houston’s joint Halloween Safe Initiative will visit about 1,300 registered sex offenders from 5–9 p.m. to enforce rules such as no candy distribution, no decorations and porch lights off after 5 p.m.
- Departments nationwide are adding DUI enforcement and extra patrols through the evening, with examples including Scotts Valley police staffing 2 p.m.–2 a.m. and Rhode Island agencies announcing increased presence.
- Safety groups cite peak trick‑or‑treat activity between roughly 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. and urge reflective gear, flashlights or glow sticks, adult supervision, sidewalk use and crossing at corners or crosswalks.
- NHTSA data reported by AAA show half of 2023 Halloween‑night crash fatalities involved alcohol, prompting calls to plan sober rides and for drivers to slow down and stay focused.
- Recent hospital reports underscore the risk, with Akron Children’s Hospital confirming three children were hospitalized after vehicle strikes, at least one while trick‑or‑treating.