Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown today urged Buffalo families to plan their Halloween 2021 activities with health and safety in mind.
“I know children in the City of Buffalo are excited to get out and Trick-or-Treat this Halloween after last year’s Covid-19 restrictions, but it is still important to stay safe to make sure the holiday is happy and healthy,” Mayor Brown said.
Mayor Brown reminded the City’s young children and their families that door-to-door Trick-or-Treating will take place Sunday, October 31, 2021 with a recommended cut-off time of 8 p.m. He also advised families to follow the CDC’s guidelines for continued Covid-19 safety.
“The CDC recommends trick-or-treating in small groups and that indoor gatherings remain small. As our youngest children are not vaccinated, it’s also recommended they wear face coverings, as well as the adults accompanying them and those greeting the youngsters at their doors,” Mayor Brown said. “I wish all our residents, especially our children, a happy and safe Halloween.”
The CDC also recommends that adults keep their indoor Halloween celebrations small and that all unvaccinated persons wear protective face coverings. Outdoor gatherings are encouraged rather than indoor parties.
Mayor Brown urged Buffalo residents to follow general Halloween safety protocol:
Halloween is for children in costumes - To minimize the safety risks that occur when older youth go door-to-door until late at night, the City recommends older teens and adults do not trick-or-treat, and youngsters be back home by 8 p.m. Trick- or-Treating should take place only on October 31st. Beggar’s Eve trick-or-treating is strongly discouraged.
Do not turn off your lights and pretend you’re not home – This is an invitation for mischief. Keep your house well lit.
A strong adult presence will serve as a deterrent to potential Halloween mischief – Work with your block club or neighbors to form a “Neighborhood Watch Team”. Call 911 if you see any suspicious activity.
National Prescription Drug ‘Take Back Day’ takes place Saturday, October 23
All five Buffalo Police Department (BPD) precinct houses and BPD Headquarters will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, on Saturday, October 23, 2021, by reminding residents that safe, ‘Ask no questions’ drug drop-off boxes are located in the lobbies of all six locations.
The annual observance addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue by creating a safe way for residents to clear unused and expired prescription drugs, especially pain relievers, stimulants and sedatives, from their homes. A 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
Drop-offs can be made at the following locations:
BPD Headquarters – 68 Court St.
A-District – 1847 South Park Avenue
B-District – 695 Main St.
C-District – 693 E. Ferry St.
D-District – 669 Hertel Ave.
E-District – 2767 Bailey Ave.
Downtown Buffalo will be lit in Blue tonight to mark national ‘Imagine a Day Without Water’
The dome of City Hall and the City’s Buffalo Illumination Team partners will light up in Blue tonight to raise awareness of how important water is in all of our daily lives.
October 21, 2021 marks the 7th observance of ‘Imagine a Day Without Water’. Imagine having no water to drink, or wash your hands, no water to shower, flush the toilet, or do laundry. Hospitals would close without water. Firefighters couldn’t put out fires, farmers couldn’t water their crops and disease would spread.
Organizers ask all of us to reflect on how we use water, where our water comes from and where it goes after use. The national observance takes on added importance as climate change has an increasing impact on water supplies as well coastal water levels.