New York State Police will patrol highways on Oct. 30 and 31 to prevent Halloween pranks.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The New York State Police will be patrolling the highways on Oct. 30 and 31 in an effort to deter any dangerous Halloween pranks.

Troopers from Troop T (Thruway) will be partaking in their annual ‘Pumpkin Patrol’ along NYS Thruway bridges and overpasses to ensure know is throwing pumpkins at motorists. 

RELATED:  DMV warns New Yorkers that using fake IDs could lead to identity theft

The detail includes members of the NYSP and volunteers from the local Citizen Band radio clubs and amateur radio organizations. The volunteers will keep an eye one various overpasses, watching for suspicious or unsafe activity, and alert nearby State Police patrols or local law enforcement if they seem anything suspicious that might cause harm to passing motorists. 

Hundreds of volunteers across more than a dozen counties are participating. 

The ‘Pumpkin Patrol’ started in 1976 as a volunteer effort in Fort Johnson, NY in Montgomery County.  The State Police assumed control of the ‘Pumpkin Patrol’ in 1990 to broaden crime prevention efforts. 

In addition to the ‘Pumpkin Patrol’, state police will  have increased patrols looking for impaired, distracted and aggressive drivers.