If your children are headed out tonight into Gilroy
neighborhoods to collect treats and show off their Halloween
costume choice, please remember our recent traffic tragedies. If
you’re driving tonight, slow down and take extra precautions. We
don’t want any wicked goblins spoiling the fun.
If your children are headed out tonight into Gilroy neighborhoods to collect treats and show off their Halloween costume choice, please remember our recent traffic tragedies. If you’re driving tonight, slow down and take extra precautions. We don’t want any wicked goblins spoiling the fun.
Part of Gilroy’s charm is the joyful celebration of holidays, from the Fourth of July to tonight’s festivities. Many of our neighbors go all out with spooky decorations accompanied by a tantalizing choice of sweet treats.
But besides the usual words about safe candy and accompanying your little ones on the treat-seeking route, traffic safety reminders for the children, given three sad deaths, are at the top of mind in our fair city.
Little ones tend to get overexcited tonight, so much so that an ill-advised bolt out into the street is not uncommon. Repeat the message to them about pedestrian safety and crossing the street in proper fashion before they go out. Do it more than once. Young children, of course, should be accompanied by a parent or an older, responsible sibling.
The last thing anyone wants is a tragic headline on Wednesday morning.
Adults should be vigilant about their neighborhoods. Unruly teenage behavior – such as smashing pumpkins – should be called in to police. Residents have an obligation to report that kind of behavior. Those who act like dolts should not be allowed to ruin a fun evening for good children and kind residents.
Halloween is also an opportunity to teach manners. A simple “Please take one piece of candy each,” reinforces a message. And, if there’s not a “thank you” offered, don’t despair, merely remind the young person of good manners with a firm and polite, “You’re welcome.”
Enjoy the efforts put forth by those who have headstones, spiders and goblins surrounding the entrances to their homes. Respect people’s property and privacy. Some, for various reasons, turn their lights off and that message should be respected, too.
Have fun, and please cross streets safely.
