Locals helping to break Halloween shopping records
It was a busy weekend for Spirit Halloween in Salinas. Lost of people were there to buy last minute costumes and decorations.
“I’m going to be a prisoner, just a simple prisoner for Halloween,” said shopper Christian Chan. “My girlfriend is going to be a swat officer – so a cute couple type of thing.”
The National Retail Federation expects shoppers to spend $8.4 billion dollars this Halloween. That’s an all-time high in the survey’s 11 year history. They attribute the splurge to shoppers welcoming fall after a long summer and getting inspiration from social media.
“The Suicide Squad movie just came out so people want to dress like that,” said Spirit Halloween Sales Associate Emanuel Vargas. “If not Suicide Squad, Finding Dory just came out. It really depends on the kind of costume and really what’s out. They want to implement whatever they see on television kind of like on themselves.”
While it may be a night of spooky fun, people are being urged to celebrate with caution. According to traffic and law enforcement officials, Halloween is ranked one of the worst for holiday related DUI crashes and fatalities.
“Just try to have a good time. Don’t ruin it for others,” said Chan.
Halloween is also known for having the highest number of child pedestrian deaths all year.
“The candy always worries me. I check all of their candy,” said parent Krista Towle.
Some parents opted out of the traditional trick or treating and took their kids to the annual Harvest Festival at the Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel.
“A family friendly event, a lot more security,” said parent Ben Cooper. “A sense of mind you feel a lot more better about everything that’s going on here.”
“It’s the highlight of our year having the little children trick or treat,” said Maryiln Schultz, Barnyard Shopping Village General Manager. “We have crafts for them, music.”
Police recommend that people drive sober, watch out for kids and carry flashlights.
Santa Cruz will have additional patrols along with setting up a safety enhancement zone where fines will triple for violations like open containers or public intoxication.
