New York State Police will be coordinating their 50th annual Pumpkin Patrol on Friday and Saturday along New York State Thruway bridges and overpasses to deter dangerous Halloween pranks and keep motorists safe. The long-standing initiative is a collaboration between State Police Troop T and volunteers from several amateur radio organizations, including the Chautauqua County Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. These volunteers will monitor various bridges and overpasses for suspicious or unsafe activity, such as throwing objects onto the Thruway. The volunteers can quickly alert nearby State Police patrols or local law enforcement to help prevent hazards to passing motorists. Several hundred individuals across 16 counties are expected to take part this year. This initiative coincides with other State Police enforcement activities during the Halloween weekend, including increased patrols targeting impaired driving and underage drinking.
