Bogota’s local authorities on Wednesday announced a Halloween curfew for minors in an effort to curb abductions and exploitation by “satanic sects.”
Security will be on heightened in the Colombian capital Wednesday night as thousands of residents are expected to take part in the annual Halloween celebrations. Unless accompanied by their parents, those under the age of 18 have been instructed to return to their homes by 11PM.
Rebellious minors who do not comply with the restrictions and are caught by authorities after curfew will be moved to one of the 13 “Temporary Location Centers” scattered throughout the city. The curfew applies until 6AM Thursday.
Up to, “22,000 troops have been provided for the Halloween security plan. They will be involved not only in the protection of minors, but also of all citizens; they will control the illegal possession of weapons,” claimed local government spokesperson Guillermo Asprilla.
3,000 uniformed officers will be specifically designated to protecting children on the night.
Police across the country have been issuing the standard safety advice to parents, warning of the dangers of trick-or-treating. Colombia’s National Police claimed potential dangers included “satanic sects” which “are attentive to exploit any opportunity.”
“At this time there are cases where parents leave their children alone out trick or treating, which exposes them to people, through deception, who can take them,” said Colonel Oscar Pinzon of the Metropolitan Police.