Carbondale Police Department searching for Pumpkin Patrol volunteers
CARBONDALE, Ill. (KBSI) – Carbondale Police Department is looking for volunteers for a Halloween safety patrol on Halloween. It is Tuesday, October 31 from 4-8 p.m. The event is known as Pumpkin Patrol and and has been sponsored by the department since 1992.
Assistant to the Chief, Randy Mathis says, the City of Carbondale Police Department is looking for volunteers to be on the lookout during the designated trick or treating hours, he says, “A visible deterrent for any activity that shouldn’t be going on, and also some comfort for people in the area to that we do have an extra set of eyes and ears out there.”
Mathis says these volunteers are not to take action but to simply alert officers to the area where trouble may be brewing, “It’s important for us to be able to have the resources, we don’t have the personnel to be able to have that many people in the area, without having this patrol opportunity.”
Volunteers wear orange safety vests with the Pumpkin Patrol logo while patrolling trick or treat areas, according to Carbondale Police Department. Additionally, they will identify potential hazards to children and provide a safe place for children to go if they feel unsafe.
If you are interested in being on the “Pumpkin Patrol” contact Officer Randy Mathis at 618-457-3200, extension 402 or send an e-mail to rmathis@explorecarbondale.com.
A couple years ago, the City of Carbondale wanted to be active with Halloween events that take place in the city, that families could benefit from in a safe way.
Executive Director of Green-Earth, Stephanie Eichholz, says the not-for-profit joined in on the fun and now they will present nearly 800 Jack-o-lanterns at the Oakland Nature Preserve for their annual Pumpkin Glow. Eichholz says, “So Carbondale wanted to have safe experiences together for people over the holiday weekend, and really try to bring the community together and all celebrate together.”
The Pumpkin Glow will take place from October 26th to the 28th, with Eichholz saying it’s one of her personnel favorites for Halloween.
