Westport Police Station Hosts Halloween Do-Over

Westport Police Station Hosts Halloween Do-Over

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

11/5/11

Westport, CT – A wicked nor’easter tricked local children out of Halloween fun October 29 when wet snow pulled down branches and wires and made trick-or-treating unsafe. Westport Police Department and other town emergency services turned those frowns upside down one week later when they hosted a make-up Halloween Fun Fest late Saturday afternoon.

Police headquarters at 50 Jesup Road turned into a virtual Halloween fairground with emergency vehicles, candy stations and spooky décor encircling the building for young costumed visitors and their families to enjoy.

“When the nor’easter came through, it was determined there was a viable safety issue with trees and wires down,” said Westport Police Lt. Arthur Belile, who helped coordinate the afternoon activities. “The joint E.O.C. issued a press release requesting that people not go out. We felt bad for the kids and wanted to create an event that incorporated safety and fun – a Halloween Fun Fest.”

J.D. Mello, of Westport, who arrived dressed as a Mad Hatter and was accompanied by wife Gina as the Queen of Hearts and daughter Jaden as Alice, said, “The town had obvious safety concerns. It was very nice of the police department to do this for the kids that were disappointed that Halloween was postponed.”

Westporter Emily Chaves, who toted her three-month-old son Elliot, dressed as a chili pepper, agreed. “It was a very nice gesture for the kids, to be able to come to a safe place to trick-or-treat.”

Annamae Logan, of Westport, attending with her daughter Mae, 10, who was dressed as an angel, was equally excited. “It was fabulous to get an email about this,” she said. “The kids were elated.”

Mae’s best friend, Paige Roraback, 10, who styled a devil’s outfit, shared what it was like to have Halloween taken away then returned. “We were going to go trick-or-treating together, but then Halloween got postponed,” she said. “We were disappointed but, in the end, we got to do it and we’re having a great time.”