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Fruitvale - New lighting will help visibility on Halloween

RCMP detachments in Fruitvale and Castlegar are working to make sure the evening is safe for trick or treaters.

As the kids' excitement reaches a fever pitch in anticipation of dashing from house to house collecting treats, local RCMP detachments and municipalities are working to make sure the evening is safe for the little ones and that any tricks don’t involve dangerous activity or damage to property.

In Fruitvale, after a 15 year-old was struck by a passing vehicle crossing Highway 3B last Halloween night, the municipality reached out to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and had the crossing upgraded to try to reduce the chance of a recurrence.

“After we had the near miss there, the 15 year-old that did get hit, I was very aware of it,” said Lila Cresswell, CAO of the Village of Fruitvale. “We now have high intensity LED lighting on both sides of the highway and the signs hanging over the highway have LED banners underneath that light up the street on the crosswalk.”

Castlegar RCMP, working in conjunction with Castlegar City works, fire services, Selkirk Security, and Citizens on Patrol, will be stepping up patrols in any potential problems areas in their city.

In addition the Castlegar Superintendent of City Works ordered the closure of Kinnaird Park, Millennium Park, and the Kinsman Park Oct. 30 and Halloween night to avoid any hijinks in those areas.

Castlegar RCMP also remind Halloween celebrants that you must be 19 years-old to set off fireworks unless under the direct supervision of an adult and that the use of fireworks is limited to private property.

As of press time there was no information available on RCMP preparations in the Greater Trail area.