Chicago police emphasize safety as Halloween 2022 celebrations continue Sunday
Halloween parade downtown Chicago: Loop haunting Saturday with 8th annual Arts in the Dark event
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are emphasizing safety, as Halloween celebrations continue Sunday.
A larger number of officers are patrolling the city, including on the CTA, as people enjoy a number of festivities.
SEE MORE: City, CPD partner with neighborhood groups for Halloween weekend safety push
Halloween is less than 24 hours away, and celebrations are continuing everywhere this weekend.
Of course, staying safe this Halloween is top of mind for many.
Chicago police plan to step up patrols this weekend, and will also have more of a presence on the CTA, with an increased ridership expected.
CPD Superintendent David Brown and his family even rented out a movie theater for kids from the West Side Boys and Girls Club to watch "The Woman King" as a way of keeping kids safe this weekend and also building bonds with the department.
Tevin Haynes of the Boys and Girls Club said this is such a rewarding experience for their kids.
"I've been working with the police department as a coach on the baseball team for the last four years, and I've been able to debunk that myth that the police officers have a heart. They're human, and they do care about the community, so this opportunity for our students gives them a different outlook on our police officer, more closely than when we talk about being convinced by media about police, about police officers, because of what they see, so it's an amazing opportunity for them to bridge the gap," Haynes said.
Police said they are also partnering with neighborhood safety groups to keep an eye on kiddos as they go trick-or-treating.
For many, this Halloween weekend was anything but scary as good weather outweighs any other fears that would keep zombies, and the werewolves and the superheroes from trick-or-treating.
Kendall Bryson is all-in and dressed as "the Hulk."
"We trick-or-treated last year and we didn't get a chance to do it two years in a row so it's like two weeks of trick or treating. We've been doing this for two weeks," Bryson said.
Several blocks in the Lincoln Square-Ravenswood neighborhood on the city's North Side were filled with witches and the like for this year's Lincoln Scared and Ravenswooooood Halloween Happening, sponsored by the local chamber of commerce.
"We're definitely still going to go house to house, but this is something that's different and more exciting for the kids," said Jimmy Alvarado, the parent of a trick-or-treater.
Mateo Alvarado, 6, and his big sister, Melania, tossed on costumes so the family could head out to celebrate Halloween's ghoulish tradition.
Participating businesses handed out candy and treats at the outdoor trick-or-treat event, which was a godsend to the parents of 4-year-old Oliver who don't want him picking up anything else today, but candy.
"He's had RSV twice, which is not pleasant, so we're just trying to move on with our lives and enjoy the holiday," said Jaime Angio and Noel Steere.
There was also plenty happening on the city's South Side.
For a second time, Roseland Community Hospital brought back its trunk-or-treat. Neighborhood resident Katrina Vinson enjoyed it with her 6-year-old grandson.
"I wanted to do something different because I like how the neighborhood is coming together," Vinson said.
During the afternoon event, cars adorned with Halloween decorations lined up in the hospital's parking lot where Halloween celebrators could trunk-or-treat at each car. Kids got healthy treats and snacks while parents were provided with information about healthcare resources.
"It's the best place to go to because it's safe. You ain't got to go knocking door to door, you just come in the parking lot, kids can sit here and get their candy and you can go back home peacefully," said Derrick Toombs, the parent of trick-or-treaters.
Regardless of how you decided to celebrate the haunted holiday, there are no shortages of places to trick-or-treat.
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