Spooky Season is almost here!

We don't expect it to. Similar neighborhoods, including Shepherd Park Plaza and Oak Forest, close streets for Halloween with great success. We expect more activity toward the edges of Lindale Park near Fulton and Robertson, bringing more visitors to houses that have been less visited in the past. We'll monitor traffic flow and adjust in future years if needed.

These were the busiest cut-throughs in past years. Leaving nearby streets open lets traffic from south of Lindale Park spread out and re-route around the closed core instead of hitting it all at once. We'll monitor how it works and hope to expand it in future years.

Because Irvington is classified as a major thoroughfare, the city does not allow it to be closed for this type of event. Helmers, plus the cross streets we've now fully closed (Woodard and Fairbanks), gives trick-or-treaters a larger car-free core while Milwaukee, Graceland, English, Sue, Joyce, and Gale keep some cross traffic flowing.

A majority of visitors arrive from outside our neighborhood, so we want to make sure the Trail stays accessible to them. Each additional street closure also adds cost, since every closed intersection needs its own officer. We'll actively monitor how this year's layout performs and make changes for future years.

Yes, officers stationed at intersections will allow residents access to closed streets. Street parking on closed streets is also allowed during the event.

No. Handing out candy is your choice, on a closed street or an open one. If your porch light is off, trick-or-treaters will walk past. We'll watch how it spreads out and adjust next year.

As Halloween crowds and traffic have grown, it has become more difficult for patrol officers to move quickly and effectively throughout the neighborhood. Reducing vehicle traffic along Helmers, rather than relying on officers to manage around it, creates a safer environment for trick-or-treaters while allowing officers to focus on keeping everyone safe.

The closure itself is estimated at about $10,000, covering officer staffing and related required expenses, plus additional costs for supplies and overages. Council Member Mario Castillo’s office is funding security and paying HPD directly. Friends of Lindale Park is raising a $2,000 community goal from neighbors and local sponsors to cover the rest.

Tell your neighbors, invite your friends, and get in on the trick-or-treating yourself — especially if you're on one of the closed streets. The bigger the turnout, the safer and more fun the night is for everyone.