AUGUSTA, Ga. – As Halloween approaches, law enforcement on both sides of the river are rolling out comprehensive safety strategies to ensure the festivities proceed without incident.

This year’s Halloween falls on a Friday, traditionally one of the busiest nights in Augusta, prompting the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office to step up their patrols. Their increased presence aims to safeguard the community during the holiday weekend.

“Our goal is to provide a sense of safety and reassurance, letting the public know we’re there to prevent incidents before they occur,” explained Captain Omar Rouse.

With numerous events such as trunk-or-treat gatherings, neighborhood trick-or-treating, and high school football games on the agenda, Richmond County deputies are strategically planning to cover various locations across the county. Their efforts are focused on ensuring a safe and enjoyable Halloween for all.

With several trunk or treat events, trick or treating in neighborhoods, and high school football games, Richmond County deputies are planning to patrol areas in areas across the county.

“Throughout the neighborhoods, we’ll have unmarked cars riding around, marked cars riding around so people can see. We’ll be in Augusta, West Augusta, East Augusta—we’ll be all over,” Rouse said.

In Aiken County, Major Jason Griffin says deputies are planning to head to neighborhoods before the sun goes down. 

“There’s no school today for public schools, so we expect trick or treaters to be out early. So, we’ll be in the neighborhoods—primarily where the trick or treating takes place—our deputies will be in there just monitoring and patrolling the area,” said Griffin.

Agencies in both states will also work diligently to increase supervision of high-risk sex offenders.

State law in South Carolina has a curfew for offenders on Halloween between 5:30 PM and 9 PM, but law enforcement says it’s important to say something if you see something. 

“If somebody, while they’re out trick or treating, if they see somebody suspicious, hanging around in bushes or things like that—or they feel they may need to have somebody checked out, they can always call the Sheriff’s Office and report that,” Griffin said.

We have also have tips from law enforcement you can find here.

Griffin says there’s other things to keep in mind for the holiday weekend.

“We encourage parents to be with their children while they’re trick or treating if possible. If they can’t do that, for the kids try to create a buddy system just so they aren’t walking alone, and can get home safely,” he added.

So as you’re trick or treating, they’re encouraging you to wear reflective costumes, for parents to stay with their children at all times if possible, and for drivers to slow down going through neighborhoods.