FORT MYERS, Fla. — The COVID-19 pandemic is causing a lot of local families to consider staying in-doors this Halloween.
This follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's advice against families going door to door this year to give out and receive candy. The CDC says this can more easily spread the coronavirus.
In response, Fort Myers Police Department is offering a safer, alternative to 'trick or treating' by organizing a drive up candy give away, also known as 'trunk or treating'.
In preparation for the event, the Department is reaching out to the community looking for volunteers who are able to fill the goodie-bags with candy leading up to the giveaway on October 29.
The Peaceful Protest of Lee County group (PPLC) is helping the department get volunteers because they believe the event is a good way to connect the community and local police.
"This is something great for the community that the police department is funding," says Lisa Shamma, Co-founder of the PPLC. "They’re funding the donations of the candy, the bags, and the center to put it together. They need more manpower and community members to participate."
Since the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis in May of this year, Shamma and the PPLC have been on the front lines organizing local protests against police brutality.
In the spirit of Halloween, she feels like this event is a step in the right direction for the community to heal from the past and have fun during the pandemic.
"We have to have respect for each other to sit down and listen to each other," says Shamma, "Even if you’re doing it just for the children and the candy and you don’t want to have a conversation with the police officers you just might. You just might build that relationship or see that they’re trying to do more in the community than just coming in after a crime."
FMPD is asking for available volunteers October 26 and October 27 to prepare the bags ahead of the Halloween event. If you would like to get involved, FMPD is asking that you call 239-321-7700.
