Published: October 28, 2009 02:09 pm      

Halloween events scare up safety advice

As Saturday rolls around each year, some trick-or-treaters hit the streets to fill their buckets, plastic pumpkins or pillowcases with sweet loot. But some towns offer organized events to keep costumed ghosts and ghouls safe this Halloween.

The largest celebration in Johnson County may be Burleson’s Boo Bash, whose first year brought nearly 8,000 people to Old Town Burleson in 2008, said David McDowell, parks manager and event organizer.

In cooperation with the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce, the Boo Bash will have pumpkin decorating, a costume parade, free games and candy, a spooky Halloween story and entertainment that’s alive, alive!

The event lasts from 6-8 p.m. Saturday and is supported by local churches and businesses and sponsored by Target.

McDowell said police would be posted at every corner to keep the real scary stuff out.

“We did it from 6-8 p.m. this year so that it wasn’t too late to where kids could come to this event and still go back home and trick-or-treat if they wanted to,” McDowell said. “The reason I think it was a success last year was because of police and fire department presence. It was just a good, safe atmosphere.”

The Booker T. Washington Community and Recreation Center, located on 100 Mansfield Road in Cleburne, will hold “Rec” or Treat from 2-5 p.m. Saturday. The $3 admission gives visitors an afternoon of games and treats, and a screening of the movie “Monster House.” Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.

In Joshua, city employees will welcome children to trick-or-treat from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday at city hall at 101 S. Main St., the police department at 102 S. Main St., or at the animal shelter at 100 Santa Fe St.

Joshua City Secretary Mary Beth Thomas said this is different from what the city has done in the past to offer a safer place for children.

“I mean, my kids are grown, and I wouldn’t let them go through neighborhoods because you don’t know the people, and you hear about things that happen to the candy before the kids get it,” she said. “Here, you can bring them by, and I think they’ll feel safer when their kids get candy.”

Chief Mike Powell, who oversees the criminal investigation and patrol divisions with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, said patrols are bolstered during the holiday and that while organized events are safer, only minor crimes see any sort of increase.

“Normally, it will be just a group of kids who decide to wrap a house or vandalize a car, take some private property from residences or mail boxes,” he said. “I’d encourage everybody to go to something that’s more controlled; the candy is screened and everybody is in a lighted environment.”

Keene residents can attend STARfest 2009 from 8-10:30 p.m. between the city hall and fire and police departments on Saturday, with games, music, food, hayrides and bounce houses.

Another fall event, the Cleburne Public Library’s Fall Festival, will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, offering a book sale, chili luncheon, bake sale, silent auction, raffle and more without the frights.

Officials agree that wherever they gather for the holiday, people should check candy before eating and always be aware of their surroundings.