NY State Police Enlist 300 Citizens for ‘Pumpkin Patrol’

Hundreds of citizens across the state have volunteered to join this year's Halloween Pumpkin Patrol.

The Thruway Authority announced that the 40th annual Pumpkin Patrol will take place on October 30 and 31. Every year the NY State Police enlist help from citizens to help prevent Halloween pranks and protect motorists on the Thruway.

In a press release Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Bill Finch explains why the patrol is so important.

Reckless shenanigans can lead to dangerous conditions on the road and cause disruptions for motorists... The joint effort by Troop T and the dedicated volunteers across New York State will be essential to ensuring our roadway remains safe during Halloween weekend.

This year, over 300 volunteers from 20 counties across New York State have signed up for the Pumpkin Patrol safety initiative. Volunteers have agreed to monitor Thruway overpasses and report any unusual activity to law enforcement.

NY State Police say that they will be out in full force this weekend, not only looking out for pranksters but also patrolling for drunk drivers.