Police are concerned about two things this Halloween: unsafe gatherings and the vandalism sometimes associated with the holiday, according to Chatham Police Chief Mark Pawlina.
“Especially with ... everybody being pent up with COVID and the current political sort of feeling and passions that are out there, we’re just a little bit concerned,” he said.
Chatham patrols will pay particular attention to the voting drop-off box to make sure it’s safe, he said.
The Chatham Police Department has decided not to give out candy this year out of an abundance of caution about COVID-19.
Some Cape Cod police departments are hosting so-called “reverse” Halloween events, with officers delivering candy to children’s homes. And they’re urging people who celebrate to do so safely.
Paulina said any gatherings should be limited to your immediate circle of contacts.
“I know some families are having just their own little immediate-family Halloween party,” and making a Halloween cake or cookies, he said. “I know one family that's having their own little Halloween dance in their home.”
Several locations around the region are hosting drive-through trick-or-treating, including the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Cod, the Harwich Community Center, and the Barnstable Police Department.