Alamogordo celebrates Halloween weekend

Oct. 31--While Alamogordo Public School students had Friday off, they were able to get into the Halloween festivities by visiting City Hall and trick-or-treating among the different departments.

"We like to have the community come in and participate with their little ones and trick-or-treaters coming through," said Karen Wells of the Finance Department. "To see their awe and wonder, makes your heart glad. As workers together, we like the team work and it's just a lot of fun."

Julianne Hall, Accounting Manager for the City of Alamogordo, said she feels City Hall's event was a safe alternative for children to trick-or-treat.

"It gives the citizens a chance to come and see the people at City Hall like to have fun and like to promote events for them," Hall said. "It also promotes comradery between all of us, we've had so much fun in today, it's just been a joy."

City staff worked in their off-time to transform each department into a festive area for Alamogordo children. The Finance Department worked hard to make decorations for their Nightmare Before Christmas theme. Each staff member participated by wearing themed costumes and Hall even learned the theme song, "This is Halloween," on her saxophone to the movie Nightmare Before Christmas.

"I know the kids are out of school (Friday) and were able to come over and take part in this," Hall said. "I know the kids at the recreation center had something that got cancelled on them and they were able to come and do this instead so it was really nice for them."

Hall said this was her first Halloween with the City of Alamogordo and she was amazed the effort her team put in for the event.

"I just have a great time and we just had so much fun with this so I'm looking forward to being able to do this again next year," she said.

As Halloween weekend begins, Police Chief Robert Duncan and Lieutenant Roger Schoolcraft said they want to remind residents of Alamogordo to be safe while celebrating.

"Keep (children) out of the roadways and avoid wearing dark Halloween costumes," said Schoolcraft. "Keep (your kids) within eyesight and stay with them and don't let them get separated from you."

While more units will be out on patrol this Halloween, Schoolcraft said it's best to travel in groups.

"I've got three grandkids that will be going trick-or-treating so I always think about that," he said. "Parents should just be vigilant on what kinds of things their kids are getting and what is being put in their baskets. It's a shame we even have to have this discussion, I grew up in a different world where it was a lot safer and we didn't have to worry about someone putting something in our children's candy."

Schoolcraft said if parents see any candy that looks suspicious in nature to not take a chance and just throw it away.

"If it looks like it's already been unwrapped or repackaged, that's a warning sign," he said. "Anything that doesn't look normal, especially if something's been repackaged."

Schoolcraft said it's important for parents just to be vigilant of their children while out and about because when they get excited and start racing to see who can get the most candy, that's where kids can fall down or get hurt.

According to an article by USA Today, Halloween is the deadliest of the year for young pedestrians, with twice as many deaths as on a typical day, according to auto insurer State Farm. Most at risk are kids ages 12 to 18 -- the ones often roaming the streets without parents and with distractions like friends and cellphones.

"It just a simple task to be careful and watch the cars while crossing the street and just have an enjoyable time," Duncan said. "I suggest the children use some type of reflective on their bags to ensure that cars see them cross the street."

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