Residents of the Southeast Seminole Heights area had worried about trick or treating after three murders in the area.

TAMPA – Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Interim Police Chief Brian Dugan plan to celebrate Halloween tonight (Oct. 31) in the Southeast Seminole Heights neighborhood.

The two plan to greet community members, hand out candy at Giddens Park, and then join the kids for some trick or treating.

Buckhorn and Dugan will start the evening about 5:30 p.m. with a community roll call at Giddens Park, 5202 N 12th St. They will be joined by several officers from the Tampa Police Department, including officers on horseback, as well as Florida Highway Patrol Troopers.

At about 6 p.m. they will start walking the Southeast Seminole Heights community, greeting residents and joining children as they go trick or treating in the neighborhood. Parents are being asked to accompany their children, and residents are being asked to turn on their porch lights to welcome trick or treaters.

The event comes in the wake of three recent murders in the Southeast Seminole Heights area. Dugan has advised residents not to walk alone, especially after sunset. Residents expressed concerns about trick or treating on Halloween.

Dugan responded by saying that TPD would have a significant presence in Southeast Seminole Heights on Halloween night, adding that he would join children trick or treating in the community. Officials said the department plans an increased police presence across the city tonight.

For information about the Tampa police, go to tampagov.net.

Tampa Police | Seminole Heights | Murders | Halloween | Trick or Treating | Tampabay News

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