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AJC.com > Metro > View from the cop > Archives > 2008 > October > 27 > Entry
Halloween advice for kids and adults
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Since Halloween falls on a Friday this year, along with our usual advice about kids, we would also like to offer some good advice for the adults.
Here are a few things to remember:
ABOUT KIDS
• Make sure you the costume is fire resistant.
• Make sure your child can see well through the mash—especially peripheral vision.
• If your child is carrying a prop such as a knife or sword, make sure it’s soft enough not to injure anyone. (Make sure they don’t take the real thing either. Yes, that’s happened before.)
• Supervise the pumpkin carving. Many stores sell carving kits with little saws that are much safer than sharp knives.
• Some folks will have a “Halloween Dinner” before trick or treating.. (Good luck with that. I fooled my kids once and afterwards, they fasted for a week before Halloween.)
• Be especially careful in the roadway. Younger kids just don’t know the danger of darting out into the street. Make sure they have a flashlight and you give them instructions before sending them to the door. Young children shouldn’t cross the road except with parents. Remind older children to check the roadway before crossing. For those of you with kids ages 13 and up—well, good luck.
• It’s Halloween and trickery is allowed. So if some candy should “disappear” overnight, only to re-appear in smaller increments over the next couple of days, well, I don’t think that would make you a bad parent.
• A couple of days before Halloween, I get flooded with calls asking where the sex offenders live and could we round them up and hold them until November 1st? There are several good sites on the Internet marking where registered sex offenders live. We do track them and over the years this is probably the one night they are most likely not to be home. Still, for those of you unfortunate enough to have one in the neighborhood, make sure the neighborhood is well informed. Can you inform your neighbors where a registered sex offender lives? Yes. Again, just know and supervise accordingly.
• For fathers, a good piece of advice. Let the moms run the show on Halloween. Just stay to the side and keep your mouth shut and do what you’re told.
• Halloween on a Friday means more than usual traffic. And one problem we see is older kids are allowed to stay out later. At some point folks, Halloween is over. Trick or Treating after, let’s say, 9 p.m. is tacky—except if you’re at a Halloween party or something. Most of the time, after 9 p.m. it’s more trick that treat. When it’s time to end the candy-giving, turn the front porch light out, release the Dobermans, and hopefully, the kids will take the hint.
ABOUT TEENAGERS
Please remind them that the cops will be out in large numbers on Halloween. We normally have to take one or two home after a pumpkin-related incident. Set some curfews to be off the street. Will it work? Maybe and maybe not but at least discuss it.
ABOUT ADULTS
Have fun, party all you like, enjoy the funny, ridiculous or whatever costume you decided on, but, while you’re still sober, make some arrangements for a designated driver. Why? Other than the obvious reasons, remember that you’ll still be in that costume when we take the mug shot. Going to jail in your SpongeBob costume will most certainly result in your mug shot somehow getting out there. Don’t think this isn’t a small world. You don’t want to show for a job interview next year and after a few uncomfortable moments your potential boss finally realizes who you remind him of. “Ah—I just realized it! You’re the SpongeBob guy on the Internet!!”
Be careful and have fun.
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Comments
By The Truth about cops
October 27, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
And remember, folks, watch your back on Halloween night. There are going to be a number of local government fundraisers, i.e. pigs, that will be out looking for any opportunity to strip you and your kids of needed cash by way of a series of Mickey Mouse style citations.
But hey, if you ask Stone, the fact that they show up at the trailer during his domestic disputes with his old lady should excuse any blatant fraud our valiant local police choose to commit.
That’s it, Stone. Keep smiling and nodding while your rights are being eradicated by over zealous pooper troopers.
I’m sure the founding fathers would have been proud of our current Communist police state. Bet Stone is an avid listener to that mindless Hannity radio show.
By BigJake
October 27, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this
I thought this was a forum for discussing tips for trick or treating, not a forum for uncovering one’s deep-rooted issues of mistrust for authority Sounds like someone has other issues…if you have a political issue to rant about, there are better places than here to regurgitate your noise.
Any who - it has been reported that some places are trying to limit the age of trick or treating, which really is a misuse of authority - it is up to the parents and guardians to figure out when their teenagers are really too old for this activity, and those that condone it must have rose-colored glasses on when their teens tell them they are going out trick or treating. C’mon, now, you need to set the rules and make sure your kids honor them. Period.
By Stone
October 27, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Truth you crack me up. Man, I’ve been busted more times than I can remember, certainly more times than anyone on this blog, I’m sure. Yet, I never met a cop who gave back anything except what I gave him/her. If I brought attitude, I got attitude. If I brought respect and understanding, then I got respect and understanding. Try it sometime. I got a bunch of friends down in Zone 2- Buckhead, believe me its better having one as a friend than one as an enemy. I used to think like you did, then I grew up. Give it a try.
By Sally
October 28, 2008 5:55 AM | Link to this
We keep the outside lights off at halloween so’s nobody trick or treats us. Trick or treating was fun….in the sixties.
The ancient ancestors of europe called. They want their pagan ceremony back.
By Tony
October 28, 2008 6:27 AM | Link to this
Truth, if you don’t like it, you can move. Delta is ready when you are. You can always go live in North Korea or Cuba. I’m sure that they will welcome you with open arms. I’d love the chance to tase the st out of you. The taser works on five seconds worth of pain everytime the trigger is pulled. The battery for the taser has approximately five years of life, that’s going to hurt. It’ll be fun listening to you scream like the little bch that you probably are.
By Tony
October 28, 2008 6:36 AM | Link to this
Apparently the AJC won’t allow me to use the *’s to replace the letters in certain words, but that’s ok. Truth, when you’re out on Halloween, hold your mommy’s hand real tight and don’t get run over. It would really be a shame if someone’s car was damaged.
By Dixie
October 28, 2008 7:14 AM | Link to this
Y’all don’t run off Truth (AKA everything else). He really makes me laugh. And what is Hannity radio? I might be interested.
Tony - you can replace the S with $ or the i with the number 1 and the computer will let it by.
By Sugar
October 28, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
And don’t follow your trick or treaters down the street in the car. Get out and walk with YOUR kids.
I had a lady that drove her kid from house to house, got out of the car with him, and walked up to the door with him. The kid was 7 years old, and Mommie was driving him up each and every driveway.
We used to pull a wagon so when the little ones got tired, they could hitch a ride. We had another wagon with a cooler loaded with waters for the kids, and beers for the adults. We have so much fun!!! A huge group of us go every year.
By clyde
October 28, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Stay home Friday night,turn out the lights and go to bed early.You’ll awaken Saturday morning fresh as a daisy and there’ll be no tickets or mug shots.My wife and I have no children so we can do this.
By Pedro
October 28, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Sugar, you got it right.
By Kat
October 28, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
Sally: You are an ancient ancestor - go back to whatever hole you climbed out of. The biggest one I know of is your mouth.
By Tony
October 28, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
Thanks Dixie.
By Jake
October 28, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Tony - I don’t agree with truth either, but it’s cops like you that give all pigs a bad name. “I’d like to taser the st out of you” come on man. Obviously you became acop because you have chip on your shoulder. Real men provide a very plush life for thier family. Get real job and make 6 figures.
By BiteMe
October 28, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this
You know, it’s easy to badger a cop until one saves your life!
Anyway, as for Halloween, just have FUN PEOPLE, and enjoy watching your kids be kids! But stay away from the teens…..Little freaks! I know I am going to have to keep checking my car throughout the night, as the punks are already tossing eggs in our parking lot this week, and it’s not even Halloween yet! :(
TA TA!
By Stone
October 28, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Geez… I wouldn’t say that I provide a very plush life for my family, but they’re happy and so am I, does that make me a real man, dude?
By Lt. Steve
October 28, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
Make sure your child can see well through thier mash????? And what are those things who ate the bullet points? Truth: Pigs? Lame. Anyone old enough to remember the precinct for APD on Peachtree called the “Pig Pen?” The cops let the hippies paint the big pig drawing on the glass front. The guy on the corner sold the “Great Speckled Bird.” Good times.
By JR
October 28, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
Hey Big Jake, Why didn’t you take you own advice? You gripe because someone has a problem with authority then proceed to air your own problem with authority.
By Bill
October 28, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
Can you imagine doing the Halloween thing in SE or SW Atlanta with the thugs? How pathetic are those people? I can see LaQuisha telling her 11 kids, “Aight yall. Yall done go out and be good dog. You be sure to keep dat bullet proff vest on ya heard me?” Ha.
By Tony
October 29, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
Thanks JR. I think it’s that time of the month for Jake.
By The truth about tony
October 29, 2008 1:56 AM | Link to this
somebody has short guy syndrome. Must stink to be a short AND fat cop.
I’ll bet Tony looks REAL mean writing those tickets.
Tony, the word is out! Cops are primarily government fundraisers. Hey, it’s not like you guys are doing anything to stop the steady flow of drugs, gangs, and illegal aliens through the metro area.
Who has time for that?! That mom in the minivan just went right-on-red! Got to meet my quota!
Valiant, Tony. You’re an american hero.
Someday you’ll get to use your taser, hotshot. Maybe you’ll get lucky and kill an innocent person in the process, like that pig in New York! I would say you could call and ask the triggerman, but he’s no longer accepting calls.
Apparently, whipping out your beloved taser isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
By Fred
October 29, 2008 2:22 AM | Link to this
Dear Dixie:
That thing on the computer that snags words is called the “auto snagger” (yes, I coined the phrase years ago but you may use it if you wish lol). Sean Hannidy is the official apologist and/or mouthpiece of the Republican Party, he is also known as ‘The Baby Jesus” since Rush Limbaugh is God and Hannidy is the annointed one to replace the fat hypocritical druggie. He is a New Yorker with the typically annoying harsh nasal voice of a New Yorker. He had a radio show here (Atlanta) for a while until it became apparent that Neal Boortz was kicking his butt. He’s really not that interesting to listen to and you will hear all he has to say by listening to on show. His catch phrase “You a great American’ was stolen from The Kimmer (who also had a radio show on WGST during that time). You can find his show on WSB 750 at 4 PM.
By Dixie
October 29, 2008 4:41 AM | Link to this
Thanks Fred - It’s always nice to know if something is a waste of time BEFOREHAND.
I personally look foward to this time of year. New videos show up of someone dressed as a scarecrow trying to scare people on the porch but getting punched out instead. Last year a child with a light saber gave a “living scarecrow” reason to rethink this year.
By Ima Nidiot
October 29, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
At my subdivision, we go on total ‘Trick or Treat’ full-court defense mode to protect the kids and property.
First of all, we post some sawhorses with signs that say ‘Trick or Treat: SLOW DOWN! Speed Limit 25’ at the entrance to the subdivision with one ‘block watch captain’ manning that checkpoint. We have ‘block captains’ equipped with radios and flashlights at every intersection.
The main thing we do is observe the roaming packs of teenage boys and make sure they see that we see them. Having a good disguise (er costume) makes some young criminals pretty brave and daring….
Also, those older teenage boys who think it’s funny to race down the street on halloween night are going to get their tag spotted, which will get the real cops involved.
By Tony
October 29, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
Actually, I’m 6’3” and I weigh 220. Anytime that you think you can take me, let me know. I love dealing with losers like you, it’s so much fun. Try getting out into the real world after you move away from mommy.
By Fred
October 29, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Dixie: Holy Poop Batman, that scarecrow video where the guy gets scared and punches the scarecrow is hilarious. Of course I doubt the scarecrow found it as amusing at the time. But the look on the dudes face before he swung was priceless.
Give Hannidy a chance to see if you like it. He seems like a “good” person, I just don’t like his show. Heck, I think Oprah is a fine person and wouldn’t be disappointed for my daughter to pick her as a role model, but I don’t like HER show either lol.
By Georgia is a criminal regime
November 19, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
All of the United States’ “sex offender” laws are worse than worthless. It has been proven beyond doubt that they are not about “public safety” or “protecting children”. That lie has been thoroughly exposed. It has been well over a decade since these laws started and we have not even BEGUN to expand the laws to cover ALL felons. Do you know why not? It’s because the laws are idiotic, counter-productive, anti-American, ineffective, anti-religious, anti-factual, and not about public safety or protecting children. If that were not the case, we would have already expanded the laws to cover millions of other felons who have ACTUALLY harmed children (as opposed to about half the people on this nation’s Registries who have never a child and never would).
The reality of Registration, and especially ALL the tag-along, worse-than-worthless laws that Registration has enabled (e.g. Banishment), is that it all provides very, very negligible additional “public safety” and those same benefits could very easily be achieved in numerous other, much more effective ways (that we all ought to be doing anyway!!). But while Registration and the rest provide no needed benefits, they also constantly promote recidivism, cost a fortune, create a false sense of security, reduce the likelihood that people will do what is truly effective to reduce sexual offending, divert precious, limited resources and attention away from trying to reduce sexual offending, and create a very large class of people who don’t care at all about being good citizens.
By Georgia is a criminal regime
November 19, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
All of the United States’ “sex offender” laws are worse than worthless. It has been proven beyond doubt that they are not about “public safety” or “protecting children”. That lie has been thoroughly exposed. It has been well over a decade since these laws started and we have not even BEGUN to expand the laws to cover ALL felons. Do you know why not? It’s because the laws are idiotic, counter-productive, anti-American, ineffective, anti-religious, anti-factual, and not about public safety or protecting children. If that were not the case, we would have already expanded the laws to cover millions of other felons who have ACTUALLY harmed children (as opposed to about half the people on this nation’s Registries who have never a child and never would).
The reality of Registration, and especially ALL the tag-along, worse-than-worthless laws that Registration has enabled (e.g. Banishment), is that it all provides very, very negligible additional “public safety” and those same benefits could very easily be achieved in numerous other, much more effective ways (that we all ought to be doing anyway!!). But while Registration and the rest provide no needed benefits, they also constantly promote recidivism, cost a fortune, create a false sense of security, reduce the likelihood that people will do what is truly effective to reduce sexual offending, divert precious, limited resources and attention away from trying to reduce sexual offending, and create a very large class of people who don’t care at all about being good citizens.
By Georgia is a criminal regime
November 19, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
All of the United States’ “sex offender” laws are worse than worthless. It has been proven beyond doubt that they are not about “public safety” or “protecting children”. That lie has been thoroughly exposed. It has been well over a decade since these laws started and we have not even BEGUN to expand the laws to cover ALL felons. Do you know why not? It’s because the laws are idiotic, counter-productive, anti-American, ineffective, anti-religious, anti-factual, and not about public safety or protecting children. If that were not the case, we would have already expanded the laws to cover millions of other felons who have ACTUALLY harmed children (as opposed to about half the people on this nation’s Registries who have never a child and never would).
The reality of Registration, and especially ALL the tag-along, worse-than-worthless laws that Registration has enabled (e.g. Banishment), is that it all provides very, very negligible additional “public safety” and those same benefits could very easily be achieved in numerous other, much more effective ways (that we all ought to be doing anyway!!). But while Registration and the rest provide no needed benefits, they also constantly promote recidivism, cost a fortune, create a false sense of security, reduce the likelihood that people will do what is truly effective to reduce sexual offending, divert precious, limited resources and attention away from trying to reduce sexual offending, and create a very large class of people who don’t care at all about being good citizens.