Photo by Chris Sykes Township children dressed as a bumblebee, princess and a pumpkin on Monday, Oct. 31, gather at the Irvington Police Department's annual Safe Halloween event in Civic Square.
Township children dressed as a bumblebee, princess and a pumpkin on Monday, Oct. 31, gather at the Irvington Police Department’s annual Safe Halloween event in Civic Square.
IRVINGTON, NJ — The Irvington Police Department, working with the Fire Department, Mayor Tony Vauss, the Municipal Council and with support from the Irvington Chamber of Commerce and the township’s business community, hosted its annual Safe Halloween event on Monday, Oct. 31, in Civic Square.
“This is another successful event where the police and other township departments got to interact with the community in a positive way,” said Public Safety Director Tracy Bowers on Tuesday, Nov. 1. “It was a pleasure seeing everyone enjoying themselves and a true example of public service at its best.”
Several of the township families who came out for the festivities said they were glad Irvington came together once again to give them something safe to do together on Halloween.
“It was nice; it’s nice to give the kids candy,” said Stephanie Milole, a mother who came to the Safe Halloween event with her family on Monday, Oct. 31. “All the stores were giving the kids candy. I like it for my kids to enjoy themselves. But I know tomorrow is school, so we’re going to go home, everybody is going to go take a shower and then go to sleep.”
Marcus St. Vil, 12, a student at University Middle School, came out to the Safe Halloween event with his sister, Frantzia St. Vil, 14, Stephanie and their friends, Rugnie Jean, 13, and Youme Tilus, 17. Marcus said math is his favorite subject and Halloween is one of his favorite holidays.
“It’s good that we have this every year because we celebrate, get some candy and it’s a tradition,” he said Monday, Oct. 31.
Frantzia was dressed as a vampire and pushing a carriage with Millika Milole, 3, who was dressed as a princess. Frantzia said the best thing about the Safe Halloween event was getting to share it every year with good friends.
“I like it because I get to enjoy time with my best friend,” said Frantzia on Monday, Oct. 31. “We have some fun, laugh, share our candy with each other and enjoy the tradition.”
Jean, who was pushing a carriage with Tilus’ nephew, Travvon, 6 months, echoed Frantzia’s sentiments about friendship and Halloween.
Tilus also had her own daughter, 7-month-old Latisha, at the event. She said it was her first time ever attending the community event, but she plans to make it a tradition.
“This was my first time and it was good,” said Tilus on Monday, Oct. 31. “I think it’s nice of the mayor and the town and the police department and fire department to do this for the community. I think they should do it. The lines were pretty long, but I was patient.”
A mother who only identified herself as Sabrina came to the Safe Halloween event dressed as the Disney character Minnie Mouse, along with her son, Roman, 2, dressed as Mickey Mouse. She said this was her first time at the annual event, too, but she was glad they came.
“It’s a good thing to have this annually in the community,” she said, adding, that the event “was a good thing, because it’s safe.”
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