Here are some tips for all to enjoy a safe Halloween. Trick-or-Treaters: Wear bright costumes with reflective tape or glow sticks so drivers can see you. Wear face paint instead of a mask. The mask can obstruct your vision. If you are wearing a mask always, remove it when you cross the street. Weapons as part of costumes should be easily identifiable as imitation. Carry a flashlight. Go trick-or-treating with a trusted adult, or travel in groups if you are old enough to be out alone. Carry a cell phone if unaccompanied by an adult. Always walk on the sidewalks. Be very careful crossing the street! Do not run out from behind cars and do not go back and forth across the street; walk down one side of the street. When you reach the end, cross to the other side. Walk facing traffic on the side of the road if there are no sidewalks. Stay in well-lit areas. Watch for cars pulling out of driveways. Never go inside a stranger's house for treats. Wait for them outside. Do not go near pets you don't know. Pets you do know may not recognize you and may be scared by your costume; this may cause them to be unpredictable. Get a game plan in place so everyone knows the route to follow. Have a central place where everyone meets up if you are separated. Know the places along the route where it is safe to go for help. Do not eat treats until you get home. Parents and or Guardians should check and inspect all candy before allowing children to eat it. If a house is in darkness, the homeowners are not participating in handing out treats. Drivers: Slow down. Pay attention for children running across streets and know that some will be in dark costumes. Do not wear costumes that interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle. Do Not Drive while Impaired. Avoid distractions such as cell phone use, texting, taking pictures and social media posting. If possible, avoid driving in residential areas where there will be a high volume of trick-or-treaters. Homeowners: Ensure your house is well lit if you are participating in handing out treats. Keep walkways obstacle free. Report any suspicious activity you may see. Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On October 29, 2019 shortly after 11:00 pm, police responded to a report of a Break and Enter to a residence in the 200 block of 16th street E. The homeowner reported an intoxicated male began by ringing his doorbell to try to get inside, stating he lived there. The intoxicated male then forced his way inside through a window, breaking household items in the process. The homeowner was able to push the intruder back out the window and call police. The male left on foot, and attempted to run from police when located. After a brief foot pursuit, the male was stopped and arrested on Delta Bay. The 41-year-old male was lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre and will appear in court today on charges of Break and Enter and Resist Arrest.  

In the early-morning hours of Tuesday, Brandon Fire and Emergency Services responded to a fully engulfed trailer fire in Meadowbrook Village, which is approximately four miles east of Brandon on Highway #1. Upon arrival, the house trailer was already fully engulfed in flames. No fire hydrants, and no nearby water supply meant a fire truck from Shilo had to respond for assistance. Firefighter/paramedics focused their limited water supply on making sure surrounding property and buildings didn't catch on fire. Thankfully, nobody was home at the time of the fire. The home appears to be a total loss. Photos by Liam Pattison Photography.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On October 23, 2019, we reported on an explosion that occurred at a residence in the 200 block of Queen’s Ave east on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 7:50 pm. When police and members of BFES arrived, a perimeter was set up and residences in the neighbourhood were evacuated as a precaution. As members at the scene detected a strong odour of natural gas, Manitoba Hydro employees also attended to turn the gas off within the hour. The 63-year-old male resident, Robert Hughes, exited the residence on his own once the gas had been turned off. He was later transported by STAR air ambulance to Health Science Centre in Winnipeg with serious injuries. No information regarding the specifics of Mr. Hughes injuries will be provided, as this information will remain confidential in accordance with PHIA (Personal Health Information Act). Due to the instability of the structure following the explosion, police and emergency workers were unable to enter the scene for several hours, until it could be reinforced by members of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR). Once the building was deemed safe, officers were then able to enter and attend to 63-year-old, Betty Hughes, who was deceased. Following the explosion, members of BPS Major Crimes Section have continued to investigate in cooperation with the Office of the Fire Commissioner. The investigation has led police to determine that the death of the Mrs. Hughes was not accidental, but was caused by injuries inflicted on her prior to the explosion. The explosion was also determined to be intentionally set. On Friday October 25, 2019, BPS Major Crime Section members attended to Winnipeg Health Science Centre where the Mr. Hughes was being released from medical care, and arrested him. On Friday evening, he was brought back to Brandon and lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre. He appeared before a Justice on a charge of 2nd Degree Murder, on October 26, 2019 and was remanded in custody. As this matter is now before the courts, specific details regarding the death of Mrs. Hughes and the explosion will not be disclosed, as we do not wish to compromise the integrity of the judicial process. Brandon Police Service would like to offer our condolences to the family of Mrs. Hughes. They will not be offering any public statement regarding this tragedy, and I would ask members of the public and media to respect their privacy during this difficult time.

Sunday night, shortly before 8:00, Brandon Fire and Emergency Services along with Brandon Police Service responded to the intersection of 26th St and Princess Ave for a vehicle that had crashed into a tree. Emergency crews arrived to find a small car that had crashed into a tree on the north-west corner of the intersection, and was lightly smoking. Two people were loaded into an ambulance. Photos by Liam Pattison Photography. Update October 8: Brandon Police Service Media Release On October 27, 2019, at 7:38 pm, police and members of BFES attended to a motor vehicle collision in the 2600 block of Princess Ave. A car travelling north bound on 26th street, clipped another vehicle, which was travelling east bound on Princess Ave. It then lost control and struck a tree, injuring two passengers inside. Passengers of the vehicle, which struck the tree, a 50-year-old female and a female child, were both taken to BRHC by ambulance. The driver of the second vehicle was unharmed. The child was released from the hospital with minor injuries. The 50-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. The 26-year-old male driver of the vehicle that struck the tree left the scene on foot, stating he was going to get help, but he did not return. Once located, the male will face criminal charges of Fail to Stop at the Scene of an Accident where Bodily Harm Has Occurred.