Spooky Las Cruces: LCPD Drive Thru Trick-or-Treat

The Las Cruces Police Department will host a drive-thru Trunk-or-Treat from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 31, (or until supplies last) in the parking lot of the Mesilla Valley Mall, 700 S. Telshor. Admission is free.

The event is part of the Spooky Las Cruces Halloween (#SpookyLC) celebration and was created to provide a fun and safe alternative to traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating, which is discouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New Mexico Governor’s Office, and the N.M. Department of Health.

“Our kids have been through so much since March. We want to do whatever we can to provide a safe option to celebrate while keeping everyone healthy,” said Officer Marvin Kelley.

Attendees of this drive-through only event are encouraged to dress up and will be able to pick up a candy bag and a ghost luminaria kit. Both items were packed following COVID-19 safe practices. Fire trucks and marked police units will be on display. Participants must remain inside their vehicle at all times and walk-ups will be turned away. Public health protocols will be in place, including social distancing and wearing a COVID-19 face covering. According to the CDC, costume masks are not a replacement or alternative to cloth masks, and it can be dangerous to wear a costume mask over a protective cloth one.

Spooky Las Cruces Halloween (#SpookyLC) also includes two additional events on Oct. 31. Starting at 10 a.m. parents can pick-up a free activity kit at the entrance of the Museum of Nature and Science, located at 411 Main Street. COVID-19 face covering is required when kits are picked up.

Beginning at 2 p.m., a virtual celebration will be streamed on the City of Las Cruces Facebook page @CityofLasCruces.The activity kits contain all the materials needed to follow along with the video.

The City has also created a bilingual Spooky Blog packed with low-risk ideas to celebrate Halloween. The blog includes videos tutorials to carve a pumpkin like a pro, DIY Halloween décor crafts, a scavenger hunt, plus movie recommendations for adults and kids. Las Crucens with a library card can watch spooky movies for free using the Branigan Library Kanopy streaming service. Please contact the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library at (575) 528-4000 to receive instructions on how to get your library card.

The Spooky blog is available at Las-Cruces.org/Halloween. The videos will also be shared on the City’s social media accounts under the hashtag #SpookyLC. The website also has printable signs that community members can download, print, and place in their windows, doors, or other visible areas for trick-or-treaters to identify whether they are handing out candy or not.

The City of Las Cruces wants to remind all residents that in order to help prevent the spread persons who may have been exposed to COVID-19 or anyone who may be exhibiting symptoms of illness should check in with their medical provider, remain in their homes and refrain from participating in Halloween activities. In addition, all citizens should wash their hands often for more than 20 seconds, continue to social distance, and always wear your COVID-19 face covering.

For more information, visit Las-cruces.org/Halloween.

For more information, please call (575) 528-4001.City of Las Cruces news releases are available on the home page of the City website at las-cruces.org under News & Announcements and can be translated into Spanish and multiple other languages using the Select Language feature on the lower right side of the page.