IslandVibesIOP.com 11 Halloween is here and the Isle of Palms Police Department wants to make sure families enjoy the treats while avoiding the tricks. Officers are reminding residents and visitors to keep safety in mind as children head out for an evening of trick-or-treating. Here are some essential tips to ensure a fun and safe Halloween: Stick to familiar routes. When trick-or-treating, choose well-lit streets Halloween safety tips to keep tricks fun and treats safe Provided by IOP Police Department CRIME LESS TOURISTS EQUALS LESS TOMFOOLERY POLICE BLOTTER MARIJUANA MANIA Officers reported no fewer than 18 cases of “simple possession of marijuana.” People may now safely assume that at any given cookout, the potato salad isn’t the only thing being passed around. Police remind everyone that while IOP has no dispensaries, the local supply chain appears to be thriving just fine. One enterprising young adult managed to combine marijuana possession, an open container and driving under suspension into what officers are calling the “Blotter hat trick.” Truly a multi-talented performance. DO IT YOURSELF DUIS The DUIs rolled in like the tide: five incidents total. Highlights included two offenders who both refused the breathalyzer, apparently believing that if you don’t blow, it doesn’t count. Spoiler: it does. Another gentleman was pulled over for “improper lane use,” which turned out to mean attempting to merge onto Palm Boulevard without actually owning a driver’s license. Creativity gets points, but not a pass. DRIVING UNDER STUPIDITY Thirteen drivers apparently decided that if you squint hard enough at a suspended license, it looks valid. Officers were unconvinced. The award for persistence goes to one individual who racked up his second DUS offense while still on probation for the first. Dedication like that is rare outside of sports or competitive cornhole. YOUNG AND THE BRAINLESS A person was cited for “Minor in Possession of Liquor” while also holding marijuana. One officer dryly noted in the report, “Efficiency is impressive, if not legal.” A trio of college students turned one traffic stop into a group project, with all three charged for simple possession. No word yet on whether they’ll get extra credit back on campus. Someone called in a “noise violation” at 8:30 p.m. on a Saturday, proving that retirement season has officially arrived. This is a satirical summary of real incidents reported on the Isle of Palms over the past month. All names and events are based on public records and presented here with comedic exaggeration. in areas you know. Avoid shortcuts through unfamiliar neighborhoods. Be seen and be safe. Wear reflective attire, carry a flashlight or add reflective tape to costumes to increase visibility to motorists. Trick-or-treat in groups. Going out with friends or family is safer than going alone. Always look out for one another. Follow the porch light rule. Only approach houses with porch lights on. This indicates they are participating in Halloween and welcoming trick-or-treaters. Practice fire safety. Place jack-o’- lanterns with candles away from curtains or flammable materials. Consider using battery-operated LED lights as a safer alternative. Watch for children on the move. Motorists should take extra time at intersections, medians and curbs. Children may be excited and unpredictable. Drivers, slow down. Popular trick-or-treating hours are between 5:30-9:30 p.m. Be especially cautious in residential neighborhoods. See something, say something. Isle of Palms police officers will be on patrol and ready to respond to reports of suspicious activity. Parents and guardians can find more helpful safety tips by visiting safekids.org. “Our top priority is keeping families safe,” said IOPPD Chief Kevin Cornett. “By following these guidelines, we can ensure Halloween is fun, memorable and safe for everyone.” The IOP Police Department wishes the community a safe and happy Halloween. As the summer sun sets and the sand cools, Isle of Palms is easing back into its off-season rhythm. After a summer of tourist chaos, golf carts gone rogue and the occasional jet ski traffic jam, September’s incident reports read more like sitcom scripts than crime dramas. The good news? Not a single incident of gun possession, cocaine busts or meth mishaps. That’s right, IOP is back to normal, folks. Instead, we present the “Triple D’s of IOP:” Drugs (the leafy, mellow kind), DUIs and Driving Under Suspension. All told, it was a blessedly boring month on the island. No cocaine. No meth. No gun-toting desperados. Just a few too many weed brownies, some overly enthusiastic drivers with suspended licenses and a handful of folks who took the term “liquid courage” too literally. As the fall breeze sets in, the blotter returns to its regular, family-friendly programming. The Isle of Palms police would like to remind everyone: obey traffic laws, keep the music down and if your license is suspended, consider using a bicycle. Until next month, stay safe and enjoy the calm. The Triple D’s of IOP will be waiting.
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