The Ames and Iowa State communities are joining together to ensure a safe Halloween.

The Ames Police Department is sponsoring a Halloween safety program again this year with help from Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, the Army ROTC, the Ames Police Explorers and Domino’s Pizza. The program will place nearly 60 Iowa State students and 12 Police Explorers throughout Ames.

The object of the program is to assist children as they trick-or-treat tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Domino’s Pizza will provide pizzas later in the evening to help thank the volunteers.

The Army ROTC cadets will be posted in the area near the Roosevelt School, while greek house volunteers will be posted near Baker and Donald Streets, and the Police Explorers will be stationed in the central Ames area.

The volunteers’ responsibilities include watching children as they trick-or-treat at the different houses.

Jack Liao, a member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, said his fraternity will have about 15-20 members volunteering this year, along with several other houses that are going to help out.

“Every year we pair up with a sorority, and other greek houses help out as well,” he said.

Liao described several of the activities the volunteers would be doing.

“We are basically out there to provide safety for the kids in the designated areas of trick-or-treating. If any kids get lost we will help them get home, and stop the older kids from messing with the younger ones,” he said.

In the past there have not been any incidents and the hope is that 1996 will be no different.

According to an Ames Police press release, children should wear light-colored clothing while trick-or-treating to make them more visible to motorists.

The police also suggest that children paint their faces instead of wearing masks, because masks restrict vision and may also hinder breathing.

It is suggested that parents go with their children as they go door-to-door, and carrying flashlights is highly recommended as a safety precaution.