Provost Marshal Office announces trick-or-treat hours, safety measures

FORT LEE, Va. - Halloween trick-or-treat hours this year will be Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m. in the Fort Lee residential areas.

Participation is restricted to on-post residents, Department of Defense ID cardholders and their guests.

The Fort Lee Provost Marshal Office reminds residents, families and visitors to use extra caution during trick-or-treat activities. Increased pedestrian traffic, reduced visibility, costumes and distracted driving can create additional safety risks in residential areas.

“The PMO will support a safe Halloween by monitoring traffic and pedestrian activity, enforcing posted speed limits and traffic regulations,” said Louis P. Ostmann, Jr., Fort Lee police chief. “Safety is a shared responsibility and parents, residents and drivers all play an important role in ensuring children can enjoy Halloween safely. We ask everyone to remain alert, follow installation rules and look out for one another.”

Residents who welcome trick-or-treaters should turn on exterior lights and keep sidewalks, stairs, driveways, and walkways clear. Decorations, hoses, toys and other objects should be removed from areas where children may walk. Residents should also keep pets secured indoors and avoid decorations that could create a safety hazard.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to accompany young children and supervise older children, according to the PMO. Children should use sidewalks, carry flashlights or glow sticks, and wear costumes that fit properly and do not restrict their vision or movement. Parents should inspect all treats before children eat them and remind children never to enter an unfamiliar home or vehicle without permission.

Parents and guardians are also advised to walk with their children instead of following them in a vehicle. Extra vehicles on residential streets can create congestion, reduce visibility and increase risks for children and other pedestrians. Walking together helps keep roadways clear, improves safety and preserves access for emergency responders.

“Drivers should use extreme caution throughout trick-or-treat hours,” Ostmann said. “They should slow down, keep headlights on, avoid distractions, yield to pedestrians and expect children to cross unexpectedly between parked vehicles. Drivers should use additional care when entering or leaving driveways and parking areas.”

The PMO and Army Sustainment University volunteers will be working together to ensure everyone’s safety with the volunteers patrolling on foot and wearing reflective vests.

The phone number for the non-emergency Military Police Desk is 804-734-7400. For an emergency, dial 911.