Roswell Police Place Officers in High Traffic Zones for Saturday Halloween

The Roswell Police Department will position current staff in high-traffic areas on Saturday, October 31, rather than adding extra officers for the holiday.

Officer Tim Lupo said the department is increasing vigilance to account for a large number of young people on the streets. He noted that younger residents can be unpredictable, which requires closer monitoring by patrol units.

This year Halloween falls on a Saturday, a detail that first responders say changes the dynamic of the night. The Roswell Fire Department and American Medical Response have issued specific safety guidance for residents in the area.

Chad Miller, captain of emergency management for the Roswell Fire Department, emphasized that crossing at intersections is safer than crossing in the middle of a block. He stated that children are twice as likely to be struck by a vehicle on Halloween night compared to the average pedestrian.

Shane Dover, administration supervisor for American Medical Response, said adults who have been drinking are the primary concern for accidents. He noted that while children are often the focus of safety campaigns, adult pedestrians are the group most at risk in neighborhoods and on roads.

Lupo recommended that drivers slow down to give pedestrians extra time to cross. He also suggested that children attach reflective tape to their costumes to improve visibility without damaging the outfit.