The New Westminster Police Department is asking parents to carefully check their children’s Halloween candy after receiving two reports of treats that appeared to have been tampered with.
“We’ve received a report of a piece of handed-out Halloween candy that has a sharp object embedded in it,” said the NWPD in a tweet sent out on Thursday night. “Parents, please check all candy and report anything suspicious to us ... This matter is still under investigation, and you can expect additional updates.”
On Friday, the police department did just that, providing an update that stated officers had been made aware of two separate incidents of Halloween candy being given out that appeared to have been tampered with. They’re asking parents and guardians to check all of their children’s Halloween candy and to report anything suspicious to department’s major crime unit.
“It is fortunate that nobody was hurt,” said Staff-Sgt. Jeff Scott in a news release. “It is quite shocking to think someone would try to harm children in this way, and our investigators are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.”
A New West mom posted a photograph on a New West-based social media site on Thursday night and warned parents to double check their kids’ Halloween candy. The woman said her daughter had found a razor blade in one of her peanut butter cups after trick or treating in the West End neighbourhood, along London and Edinburgh streets.
Anyone having any information regarding these incidents should contact New Westminster Police Department’s major crime unit at 604-529-2536.
While the placement of razor blades in Halloween candy has long been considered an urban legend, the Eugene Police Department in Oregon issued a notice on Nov. 1 stating that its detectives were investigating three reports of razors, resembling something similar to a pencil sharpener blade, being hidden in Halloween candy.
Prior to Halloween, the B.C. government urged parents and caregivers to ensure their trick-or-treaters didn’t get an unintended surprise, by ensuring no cannabis products were accidentally handed out.
"We count on parents and all those who choose to consume cannabis to help keep kids safe. Illegal cannabis often comes in bright and colourful packaging designed to look like popular candy that kids love to get this time of year," said Mike Farnworth, minister of public safety and solicitor general. "It is also important to remember that legal cannabis products can still be attractive to children, and it's critical for people to put away, lock up and safely store any cannabis products they may have been using – especially edible varieties that could look enticing to young children."
