On Oct. 31, the 109th Precinct Community Council and the Flushing Chinese Business Association (FCBA) hosted their annual trick-or-treat event for an afternoon of spooktacular fun.

Held from 2 to 5 p.m. in the 109th Precinct lobby at 37-05 Union St., the event turned the station house into a local Halloween destination, as children, many dressed as police officers, eagerly held out their pumpkin-shaped baskets and called out, “Trick or treat!”

For Deputy Inspector Karam Chowdhury, the event is about more than handing out candy. It is an opportunity to create long-lasting memories while helping young residents get to know the officers who serve their neighborhood.

Trick-or-treaters at the 109th Pct. (Shawn Inglima/ for AMNY) Deputy Inspector Karam Chowdhury, right, handing out candy during the 109th Pct. Community Members and Flushing Chinese Business Association Trick-or-Treat event on Halloween at the 109th Pct. in Flushing, Queens, Saturday, October, 31, 2026. (Shawn Inglima/ for AMNY) Trick-or-treaters at the 109th Pct. Community Members and Flushing Chinese Business Association Trick-or-Treat event on Halloween at the 109th Pct. in Flushing, Queens, Saturday, October, 31, 2026. (Shawn Inglima/ for AMNY) Trick-or-treaters at the 109th Pct. (Shawn Inglima/ for AMNY)

“Halloween is all about fun memories, and we want our station house to be a fun memory for all the little ones that visit us with their families,” Chowdhury said.

Now in its 20th year, the annual celebration draws more than 1,000 children, according to Chowdhury, who said the turnout and excitement remain rewarding for the precinct’s officers.

“This Halloween event has been going on for the past 20 years. Every year, we expect over a thousand kids to show up, and this year is no different. Seeing the smiles on their face, you know it feels good. My cops and my team are building fond memories with the little ones that are passing by,” he added.

Throughout the afternoon, auxiliary officers reached into oversized cauldrons to hand out candy, while children and their families mingled with precinct members and posed for photos with officers.

Det. Huynh, right, handing out candy during the 109th Pct. Community Members and Flushing Chinese Business Association Trick-or-Treat event on Halloween at the 109th Pct. in Flushing, Queens, Saturday, October, 31, 2026. (Shawn Inglima/ for AMNY) NYPD Officer Vasquez with a trick-or-treater at the 109th Pct. Community Members and Flushing Chinese Business Association Trick-or-Treat event on Halloween at the 109th Pct. in Flushing, Queens, Saturday, October, 31, 2026. (Shawn Inglima/ for AMNY) Trick-or-treaters at the 109th Pct. (Shawn Inglima/ for AMNY) Trick-or-treaters at the 109th Pct. (Shawn Inglima/ for AMNY) Trick-or-treaters Eliana, right, 7, and her brother Ennio, 4, left, at the 109th Pct. Community Members and Flushing Chinese Business Association Trick-or-Treat event on Halloween at the 109th Pct. in Flushing, Queens, Saturday, October, 31, 2026. (Shawn Inglima/ for AMNY)

Chowdhury emphasized that gatherings like these help foster familiarity and trust between law enforcement and the community.

“Our kids are seeing our cops; they’re interacting with them. So we want that to continue, and we want our cops and our community to talk to each other. And any issues we want to discuss, and we want to make sure that our community is safe. And this is a great event to have fun, also build memories, and build a bridge,” Chowdhury said.

Trick-or-treaters at the 109th Pct. (Shawn Inglima/ for AMNY) Trick-or-treaters at the 109th Pct. (Shawn Inglima/ for AMNY) Trick-or-treaters at the 109th Pct. Community Members and Flushing Chinese Business Association Trick-or-Treat event on Halloween at the 109th Pct. in Flushing, Queens, Saturday, October, 31, 2026. (Shawn Inglima/ for AMNY)

He added that establishing those connections early can help children feel more comfortable approaching officers when they need assistance.

“The more interaction they have with police officers, the more comfortable they will feel if they are in trouble or they need us, and this builds a great, great relationship. Having an event like this, so they can always count on us and always can call us for support, help, anything they need, they can reach out to us,” he said.

Aspiring NYPD officer Quentin, 11, left, with Det. Huynh, center, and Det. Huang, right, at the 109th Pct. Community Members and Flushing Chinese Business Association Trick-or-Treat event on Halloween at the 109th Pct. in Flushing, Queens, Saturday, October, 31, 2026. (Shawn Inglima/ for AMNY) Trick-or-treaters at the 109th Pct. Community Members and Flushing Chinese Business Association Trick-or-Treat event on Halloween at the 109th Pct. in Flushing, Queens, Saturday, October, 31, 2026. (Shawn Inglima/ for AMNY)