Halloween is a holiday of spirits, costumes, parties, and scares. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of the celebrations, hiding behind a mask to commit crimes on the streets of Alabama.
We’ll inevitably get calls in the days that follow from people looking for a criminal defense attorney for one thing or another, so we want to give you a heads up and make sure you and your family stay safe this time of year.
Secure your property
Studies show that property crime is the most common crime committed on Halloween as people take advantage of all the people distracted by fun and games. Travelers Insurance notes that property crime increases by 24% during the holiday with vehicles being twice as likely to be vandalized on October 31st compared to other days.
These statistics are a perfect reminder to make sure your car is locked up and, if possible, parked in a secure area. Do not fall for the common myth that parking under a street light makes your car less likely to be broken into – in fact, it might make it more likely.
Watch out for drunk drivers
According to the United States Department of Transportation, there were 129 people killed on Halloween night (6 p.m. on October 31st to 5:59 a.m. on November 1st) between 2016-2020. Of those deaths, 56 occurred in 2020 alone.
There are always drunk drivers on the roads, but it’s especially important to keep an eye out on nights when people are hosting big parties. If you’re taking your family out on the streets for trick-or-treating, be especially careful. If you’re at or hosting a party be sure to watch how much you’re drinking and take away the keys of anyone who is drinking at your event.
Keep an eye out for underage drinking
Hosting a big party can be a ton of fun. We don’t want to deter you from having guests over to celebrate one of your favorite holidays, but you need to keep an eye on who is coming in and out.
Teens are more likely to be drinking during Halloween which can get them and you in trouble. Not only does this drinking increase the potential for accidents and drunk-driving incidents, but high school students who drink are 57.8% more likely to be binge drinkers.
None of this is meant to spook anyone – there are enough scares on Halloween. Instead, we want to make sure Alabamans can enjoy the holiday safely without having to worry about crime ruining their night. We also understand that sometimes accidents happen and people make mistakes. If this is you, don’t hesitate to contact our team to make sure you’ve got the best defense in North Alabama.
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