The Dover Police Department is announcing the cancellation of two annual events due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The National Night Out event is traditionally held in August of every year but was postponed with a date to be determined until the decision to cancel was made. The National Night Out event provides a variety of agencies with an opportunity to show our citizens what services they provide, the vehicles and equipment they use, and a chance to interact with personnel in a relaxed atmosphere. This event typically attracts 1,500+ people over a two-hour period.
The Fifth Annual Safe Trick or Treat event put on by the Dover Police and Downtown Dover partnership has also been cancelled. The Safe Trick or Treat Event is traditionally held the on the Friday preceding Halloween and was scheduled for October 23rd, 2020 at Legislative Mall. The event averages 3,500+ attendees and features nearly 100 businesses, organizations, and first responder agencies from across the State of Delaware and provides a fun and safe environment for families to trick-or-treat and interact with members of the community. This event has only been cancelled one other time in it’s five year history when severe storms forced the 2018 event to be cancelled. This is not a cancellation of traditional Trick-or-Treating on October 31st and is only applicable to the Safe Trick or Treat event.
After a thorough review of the guidelines set by State of Delaware officials for outdoor events of 250+ attendees, it was determined by both the Dover Police Department and the Downtown Dover Partnership, that the agencies lacked the resources and personnel to meet each of the requirements (Covid-19 State of Emergency Declaration) to hold such events. Given the extraordinary amount of time and preparation normally required to hold both of these events, holding them would not be possible even if restrictions are lessened by state officials in the near future. While disappointed, the Dover Police Department and Downtown Dover Partnership look forward to bringing these popular events back in 2021.