Mesquite Police Dept. Hosts 15th Annual Trunk or Treat

By KRISTI TAUSINGA

The Progress

It was a sea of Power Rangers, dinosaurs, superheroes, skeletons, princesses and more just outside of the Casablanca Resort parking garage structure on Friday, October 29. That is when the Mesquite Police Department (MPD) held its annual Trunk or Treat event which attracted swarms of children in costume from all over the community.

This year’s theme for the event was the Mexican holiday: Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). And many of the businesses and organizations who had set up trunks for the event used the color pallette and style of that holiday.

The line of children began to form well before the event was slated to start. MPD officials said that they had anticipated over 4000 participants at the event.

The inside of the parking structure looked like a scene from the Disney movie Coco, with beautiful bright yellow marigold flowers, sugar skulls and altars lining the walkway, celebrating those that have passed before. Dia De Los Muertos is a two-day celebration where families create ofrendas or “offerings” to honor their departed family members. It’s a holiday celebrating both death and life.

Volunteers at each trunk station were ready to hand out candy and other treats to the youngsters who had waited so patiently for their turn. One business, Injury Smart Law, was handing out fun Halloween coloring pages and a box of 8 crayons.

At another station was a table full of individually wrapped “Beanie Babies” toys being handed out to the kids. These toys were donated to the local Elks Lodge #2811 local resident Darlene Tornez who has been collecting the “Beanie Babies” for many years.

Mesquite Fire Department was handing out candy near an Ofrenda or “offering” table” that was created by MPD. It was surrounded by 136 black and white photographs of fallen officers that have lost their lives in 2021. These photographs also included 20 police K-9 dogs that had perished in the line of duty. A sign was posted on the wall reading: “Always Remember 2021 Fallen Heroes”.

“In the spirit of the theme of this years event, we wanted to honor those officers that have lost their lives so far this year,” said MPD Public Information Officer Wyatt Oliver in an interview with The Progress. “We wanted to “celebrate” them and remember them.”

There were three winners chosen in several categories to receive a number of prizes donated by Jackson’s Contracting, Mesquite Police Officers Association, and Megaplex Theatres.

The winner of the Mayor’s Choice Award went to Southwest Gas. The winner of the Most Festive award went to Mad Landscaping. And the Spookiest award went to the Slick Pony Ranch.

Oliver expressed gratitude for all the community support received in putting this event together. His appreciation included Fringe Hair and Nails, Injury Smart Law, La Casa De – La Abuela, Alejandro Jordan, Virgin Valley Mortuary, The Elks Lodge #2811, McDonalds, Smiths, Silver State Cleaning, Mesquite Christian Center, Slick Ponies Ranch, Annie Black State Assembly, Primex Plastics Corp., Pro Glass and Door, Premier Properties, Danielle’s Chocolates and Popcorn, Citywide Golf, Mad Landscaping, Precision Eye Care, Bank of Nevada, Reliance Connects, Hot Iron Construction, BARK Canine Club and Resort, Casablanca Catering and Conventions and Southwest Gas Co.