MPD hosts Trick Arr Treat event

The Mesquite Police Department Community Trunk or Treat event drew a long line of youngsters and their families to the Oasis Parking structure to participate in a safe Halloween event. Photo by Jason Andrus 

By TYRA LUDVIGSON

The Progress

The men and women of the Mesquite Police Department definitely outdid themselves this year for the annual Community Trunk-or-Treat event held on Halloween Night, Monday, Oct. 31. Hundreds of kids and parents alike dressed in their best costumes and made their way through the line at the Oasis Parking Garage.

The theme for this year was a creative pirate theme: “Trunk’Arrrr Treat.” Inspired by a recent trip to Disneyland and many viewings of The Pirates of the Caribbean movies, the Mesquite Police Officer Association’s (MPOA) President Wyatt Oliver and his family helped to develop this year’s theme.

Set-up started at 9 am for many people and the decorating did not end until 4:30 pm. Ashley Oliver was in charge of the decorations for the entrance.

“Ashley has been working massive amounts of hours putting all of these beautiful decorations together,” said volunteer Nancy Hewett.

The decorations included a full-sized sailboat decorated as a pirate ship, a police vehicle with giant Kraken arms flailing out, and a boarded entrance that felt like walking an actual plank.

“This year has been my favorite because we have gone above and beyond what we usually do,” said Ashley Oliver. “We’ve had a lot of help from a lot of people.”

“This event is all about the kids having a good, safe place to go trick or treating,” said MPOA President Wyatt Oliver.

First-in-line kid, Madison Miramontes, who was clad in a Spongebob costume, commented, “I’m so excited!” while he waited patiently in line.

Madison’s mother noted that they have been coming to the trunk-or-treat every year and it continues to get better and better! The wait was well worth it as over 40 trunks participated, set up by various local businesses, clubs, associations, families and individuals. Many of these decided to follow suit on the pirate theme.

Reliance Connects put together a beautiful pirate-themed trunk. Manager Christi Neff said they worked on their booth for a few hours. Reliance Connects has been a part of the trunk-or-treat for as long as Neff could remember.

“The manager before me was in it,” Neff said. “So we’ve just been continuing the tradition!”

A new group has recently joined in on this tradition. Sun City’s Bridle Path Lane, the “BPL Family” block club got its beginning in 2018 with visits from Denyce Everet to her new neighbors. The whole street began hanging out and found ways to stay connected during the COVID pandemic. As a way to give back, this amazing group has started a tradition of being in the trunk-or-treat.

“We all love being out seeing the kids,” said Everet. “That’s the whole thing: the kids.”
Many booths had stepped up their treat game. Bliss Salon and Spa handed out freshly popped popcorn, Reliance Connects gave out pencils, and Danielle’s Chocolate distributed its famous snowy chocolate popcorn. Danielle’s went over 12 hours in popcorn production for the event. Bliss Salon and Spa had been setting up their station since 9 am.
Wyatt Oliver expressed appreciaition to Casablanca resort for allowing the use of its facility.

“The Casablanca had their crews hand scrubbing the garage to make sure it was clean,” Oliver said. “That just goes to show how dedicated they are to making the community great.”

The MPOA would also like to thank all of the vendors and volunteers for their hard work and help.

Oliver shared some insider information on next year’s trunk-or-treat theme. It will be ‘Clowns!’