Chicago police embrace Halloween spirit with spooky haunted house in Pullman
CHICAGO - Halloween celebrations were held across the Chicagoland area Tuesday afternoon and even Chicago police got in on the fun!
Inside Chicago Police Department District Five, dozens were waiting in line to experience their annual haunted house.
The community room was filled with ghosts and witches, and, wherever you turned, something or someone was likely to pop up in your face.
"I thought it was all statues and stuff. I didn’t know it was live bodies walking around," said CPD Officer Jamison Deondra.
The Halloween community event attracts 1,000 Pullman and Roseland residents with about 15 officers collaborating in planning, setup and serving as actors.
"This humanizes police officers. When they’re next to them, dancing next to them and shaking their hands," said Chicago Ald. Peter Chico.
Outside, kids got a chance to feed goats and sheep. They also rode miniature horses. In addition to all the fun, 1,000 coats were also distributed.
"It helps keep kids safe too. Like me, I don’t go house to house, so I would prefer to go somewhere like this where we’re safe," said Parent Iesha Fall.
Many kids showed up dressed for the occasion. The best costume went to De Lasalle Student Curtis Harrison. The 15-year-old saw a replica online, spent $300 on materials and after 30 hours of labor, Curtis stole the show. He called the costume a spirit walker.
With 100 migrants temporarily living in the district police station, the commander said they also jumped in to help set up and clean up.