Thousands of Western New Yorkers got a head start on Halloween in Buffalo Sunday night. Thousands turned out in Kaisertown to take part in Beggars' Night, the traditional trick-or-treating festivities held the night before Halloween. Others brought their children to Elmwood Village for "Safe Trick-or-Treat".
The "Safe Trick-or-Treat" event is hosted by local businesses on Elmwood Avenue. Parents and children were invited to dress up and go business to business Sunday afternoon picking up candy. Elmwood Village Association started the event in 2001 to give families a chance to trick-or-treat during daylight hours.
Parents said they are more alert and keep their children close by on Halloween.
"I'm always around," Danny Vanover said. He was trick-or-treating with his three children in Kaisertown. "I always have to be an arm's length ahead of you."
Ashley Vanover said she tells her children what to do if something doesn't seem right.
"Stay with the group you come with," she said. "If you see any suspicious movements, actions or anything, you yell for your mom or your dad."
NYS Police add extra patrols every year for Halloween. They're biggest concern is drunk drivers, but they also want parents to look at all the candy their children bring home.
"Look for any candy out of its original packaging, especially if it's small or could be mistaken for a narcotic or pill or drug," said Trooper James O'Callaghan. "Just throw it out."
NYS Police also warn drivers to be alert during trick-or-treating hours. O'Callaghan says children are typically out in neighborhoods anywhere from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
