Philadelphia police officers to hand out candy at Westside Park on Saturday night

As part of their Halloween night enforcement, Philadelphia Police will be at Westside Park and at the corner of Poplar Avenue and Main Street handing out candy.

Philadelphia Police Chief Eric Lyons said they should have an officer stationed at these two locations starting sometime between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30, which is the designated date for trick or treating in Philadelphia this year since Oct. 31 falls on Sunday.

Each location will have an officer passing out candy for between three and four hours or until they are out of candy.

“In my opinion, these are places where there will be a lot of activity and we can kind of piggie back off of what the community is already doing,” Lyons said. “This way we can offer an officer presence while kids are trick or treating and people are out and about.”

Lyons said handing out candy is just another way members of the police force can be a part of the community and offer face-to-face interaction between officers and the public.

“We want to be involved in the community as much as possible where we can interact with the community, specifically kids,” Lyons said.

PPD is advertising the event on social media.

Halloween festivities are set to start in Philadelphia at 6 p.m. on Oct 30.