SYRACUSE -- Halloween is a time for fun, but also a time to be careful.
For the first time ever, Syracuse Neighborhood Watch will be patrolling all neighborhoods on Halloween, making sure kids stay safe as they trick-or-treat. The group of approximately 30 volunteers will be working with the Syracuse Police's Community Policing Division, alerting them to anything suspicious.
Parents are also taking precautions to make sure their kids stay safe. "Normally when we go trick-or-treating, we do check the candy and everything else that's given to us," said Syracuse mom Tyler Preston. "We'll definitely have flashlights so we can be safe," added Christian Volcey, a mom of two young kids in Syracuse.
The Syracuse Neighborhood Watch group has some suggestions for parents to keep in mind on Halloween. "We ask parents, especially with young kids, walk with them from house to house, use the buddy system, go out with a neighbor," said Tony Borelli, Program Coordinator for the Neighborhood Watch program. "If your kids are older and they're going to be going out, know their route. Know what time they're expected to be back. Be able to be in contact with them."
Some local fire departments, including Liverpool and Lysander, will be driving around in firetrucks, handing out candy and keeping an eye on neighborhoods.
Parents can also bring their children to trick-or-treat at Destiny USA, where select stores will be giving out candy to trick-or-treaters between 5-7pm.
