Halloween is always one of the most festive days of the year. Candy, costumes, and cauldrons give us spooky fun just as the days are starting to become darker. That cover of darkness, though, can hide an even scarier truth: a rise in crime. According to a representative from Travelers Insurance, there are on average 17 percent more crime-related claims on Halloween. So when you and your little ones are going house-to-house looking for treats, make sure you watch out for the dangers that lurk in the night.
Here are some of the most common crimes that occur on Halloween:
DUI & Underage Drinking
Like most holidays, Halloween is a great time for people to get together with family and loved ones to celebrate the occasion. Adults and teenagers alike are keen to dress up as their favorite characters and get together. Sometimes, that can lead to excessive drinking and poor decisions.
Driving under the influence is such a problem during Halloween that many police departments plan and advertise emphasis patrols to try to prevent the kinds of catastrophic harm that can happen.
Theft Offenses
Another crime that escalates around the time of witches and goblins is theft. Insurance claims for theft away from home spike by 21% on Halloween, very often the result of thefts of items from a parked car: think laptops, cell phones, or other small electronics. What’s more, insurance claims due to theft inside the home go up by a terrifying 60%.
Thieves tend to take advantage of folks who take their kids out trick or treating, and try to blend in with the myriad of people already out walking the streets late at night. So please remember, if you’re leaving the house empty, try to ensure your doors and windows are locked. Better yet, on behalf of all the kids out there, leave one parent home to hand our candy to the trick-or-treaters! That way, you are thwarting potential burglars and providing a better night for kids in your town.
Malicious Mischief
Whether it’s a 90’s rock band or a dark tradition on Halloween, smashing pumpkins is actually a crime. Knowingly and maliciously causing physical damage to the property or another person is a gross misdemeanor in Washington State, punishable by up to 364 days in jail.
So what might seem like harmless fun to your teenagers can wind them up in a significant amount of trouble with police. Things like smashing pumpkins, “TP”-ing a house, or egging a house can be considered crimes. So make sure you warn your kids against these kinds of Halloween tricks.
Charged? Get Defense That You Can Count On.
With the police on high alert for criminal activity on Halloween in particular, it's especially important to warn your loved ones to make good choices and be on high alert for suspicious activity. If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Spokane, team up with our boutique firm for help. When you choose Clark Law, you get to work directly with Attorney Steven Clark who provides personalized, one-on-one service for every client.
Call us at (509) 800-5420 or reach out online today.