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Franklin, TN – Residents in downtown’s Hincheyville neighborhood are expecting another big turnout this Halloween. Franklin Police will close West Main Street and Fair Street to vehicle traffic between 7^th and 11^th Avenues from 5pm-9pm for trick-or-treaters Saturday, October 31.

Franklin Police Officers working the neighborhood within that closure will be handing out candy and glow necklaces to children for increased visibility. “The safety of our children is extremely important to us,” said Chief Deborah Faulkner. “We want to do our part to help motorists see them. We ask that everyone please drive with extreme care.”

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, children are four times more likely to be in a fatal pedestrian accident on Halloween than any other night of the year. Reasons include:

• They often choose to take the shortest route, which may mean darting out between parked cars rather than taking the safer route of crossing at corners.
• They are not good at evaluating potential traffic threats.
• They are more likely to ignore their peripheral vision, and are generally less attentive to their surroundings.
• They have a tendency to take more risks.
• They need to be told that some people driving cars will not slow down for them.
• They cannot cross the street as rapidly as adults.
• They may be distracted by other children’s costumes, behaviors, and home decorations.
  

Trick-or-treat days and times are designated by individual neighborhoods and homeowner associations.

Information on registered sex offenders living in proximity to specific geographic locations can be found at this interactive map by the TBI.

Registered sex offenders being supervised by the Tennessee Department of Corrections are forbidden to decorate their home, dress in costume, hand out candy, or trick-or-treat with any child. Click here for a complete list of the restrictions.

Police encourage parents to trick-or-treat with their kids,
and remind motorists to slow down and use extra caution Saturday night,
as streets will be filled with very excited children.
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Following yesterday’s Senate Judiciary Committee, where body cameras worn by police officers (SB 868) was discussed, Chief Faulkner stated the following:

“Yesterday’s discussion validated that other law enforcement agencies are considering the same issues we are discussing in Franklin:  privacy, data storage, officer discretion, retention schedules, public records issues, long-range costs, the difference between evidentiary and non-evidentiary recordings, and much more. I am encouraged that the State Legislature is looking closely at this topic, to make some determinations regarding a state-wide policy to help guide Tennessee law enforcement agencies with a broad range of issues.”

To watch yesterday’s discussion, click here and go to 2:38:46. See Chief Faulkner’s 10/15/2015 letter to Ned Williams, Chief Counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee here.