The hours for trick or treat in Vicksburg and Warren County have been set for 6 to 8 p.m. on the traditional date for Halloween, Oct. 31.

The decision setting the date was made jointly by the Vicksburg Police Department and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

“We’re having trick or treat begin at 6 p.m. to allow people time to get home from work,” Sheriff Martin Pace said. “My whole department will be out; there will be no day off Halloween. Everybody will be out and we’ll have extra units out after trick or treat ends.”

Police Chief Walter Armstrong said his department will also have extra officers out watching for traffic problems and children, “And looking out for people who want to use Halloween as an excuse to commit crimes.”

“We advise parents to go out with their children and not let them go out alone, and to trick or treat in familiar neighborhoods,” Pace said. “Children should wear light, not dark-colored clothing, and not wear masks that cover the face, because it can obscure their vision.”

Children and adults should carry flashlights when they go out, he said, and avoid running back and forth across streets.

“Walk up one side of the block, cross the street and then come down the other side of the block,” he said, “And I want to remind motorists to be on the lookout for children walking and crossing the street.”