This Halloween will be the second one held during the COVID-19 pandemic. But this year will have a lot fewer restrictions compared to 2020 (Pixabay)

By Jordan Davidson

be spooky and safe

‘We want people to have fun:’ local police don’t want to rain on weekend parties

Oct 29, 2021 | 5:30 AM

NANAIMO — The spooky season is upon us with Halloween falling on the perfect day for some pre-trick or treat parties.

Local Mounties want people to enjoy themselves, let loose and release some pandemic-related stress, but to do so in a safe, lawful way that doesn’t interfere with the fun of anyone else.

Cst. Gary O’Brien said they have an operational plan in place for Halloween weekend to ensure the safety of community members, standard procedure for any significant holiday.

“It’s extra boots on the ground. Our bar watch will be enhanced on Friday and Saturday night. We’ll have a full contingency of general duty members and plainclothes members as well.”

The pandemic has limited those activities for the last 19 months, but as of Monday, Oct. 25, B.C. raised capacity limits from 50 per cent to 100 per cent in areas with high vaccination rates, including Nanaimo.

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Masks are still required to be worn indoors.

O’Brien said they expect to see bars and clubs full of people, as well as the likelihood of full scale home-based Halloween parties being held once again.

One of the biggest complaints this time of year is people setting off fireworks and firecrackers.

O’Brien noted last year was especially bad, which he equated to people releasing pent-up energy due to the pandemic.

Officers are prepared to deal with the issue again this year.

“For some reason, we’re seeing an uptick in the last two or three years of so many reports of fireworks going off. People have to be extremely careful. If we do receive a report of that,we will follow up and you could be subject to a seizure of the fireworks and a significant fine.”

Permits are required for any fireworks set off within Nanaimo and Parksville, while the Regional District of Nanaimo does not have any such restrictions.

“We don’t want to be the naysayers for Halloween,” O’Brien added. “We want people to have fun, but we want people to be safe. We know from previous years there’s been a number of incidents where people have ended up in the hospital as a result of letting off fireworks in a situation where it’s not safe to do so.”

Halloween is also a chance to incorporate your face mask into a creative costume, so you can stay protected while also dressing up.

Other tips to have a safe and healthy Halloween weekend this year include considering only attending outdoor parties and other activities such as corn mazes or pumpkin patches.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow