What began as a small volunteer effort in Montgomery County has become a statewide Halloween safety tradition. The New York State Police Celebrate 50 Years of Pumpkin Patrol emphasizes their dedication to ensuring a safe Halloween for all.

UTICA, N.Y. — The Halloween Pumpkin Patrol returns to the New York State Thruway on October 30 and 31, 2026, marking 50 years of a safety effort that started in the Mohawk Valley. New York State Police say hundreds of volunteers across 16 counties will monitor bridges and overpasses and report unsafe activity to troopers.

The New York State Police Celebrate 50 Years of Pumpkin Patrol showcases their commitment to community safety during Halloween. This initiative highlights the importance of safety and vigilance on our roadways.

Born in Montgomery County in 1976

The Pumpkin Patrol began as a volunteer effort in Fort Johnson, Montgomery County, in 1976. Volunteers wanted to prevent dangerous Halloween pranks, including people throwing objects from bridges onto vehicles traveling below. In 1990, State Police assumed coordination of the effort as part of their crime prevention work.

A small local idea has become a statewide tradition. Its history shows what can happen when residents recognize a hazard and organize to help their neighbors.

How the 2026 patrol works

State Police Troop T, whose officers patrol the Thruway, will coordinate with amateur radio volunteers. Volunteers monitor selected bridges and overpasses for suspicious or dangerous activity and can quickly alert nearby troopers or local police if they see a potential threat.

They are not replacing law enforcement. Their role is to serve as extra eyes and ears in locations where a dangerous act could harm passing motorists.

Why objects thrown from bridges are dangerous

An object dropped from an overpass can strike a windshield, damage a vehicle or cause a driver to lose control. Even when there is no direct impact, an attempt to swerve away from an object may create a risk for other drivers. That is why the Pumpkin Patrol focuses on prevention before an incident occurs.

Mohawk Valley amateur radio groups lend a hand

The local volunteer organizations participating this year include the Fort Herkimer Amateur Radio Association, Madison-Oneida Amateur Radio Club and Montgomery Radio Association. The wider participating roster also includes the Liverpool Amateur Repeater Club, Drumlins Amateur Radio Club and organizations across western New York, the Capital Region and Hudson Valley.

Amateur radio operators bring practical communication skills to the effort. Their participation is one reason the Pumpkin Patrol has remained a community project over five decades, even as State Police took on formal coordination.

Halloween weekend brings other enforcement

The State Police say the Pumpkin Patrol coincides with other Halloween weekend enforcement, including increased patrols focused on impaired driving and underage drinking. The Halloween safety message reaches well beyond overpasses: drivers should also watch for children in costumes, pedestrians crossing streets and extra traffic in neighborhoods after dark.

Safety tips for drivers and families

• Slow down in neighborhoods where children may be trick-or-treating.
• Stay alert at intersections and in poorly lit areas.
• Never drive impaired. Arrange a safe ride before Halloween celebrations begin.
• Do not stop on the highway to investigate suspicious behavior on an overpass.
• Report immediate danger to 911. Give the location and a description when it is safe to do so.
• Help children stay visible with flashlights or reflective accessories.

Fifty years of neighbors protecting neighbors

The New York State Police say several hundred people will take part in 2026. They credit volunteers and the New York State Thruway Authority as partners in keeping travelers safe.

For the Mohawk Valley, the milestone carries special meaning. The project started in Fort Johnson in 1976 and has continued across generations. The tools may have changed, but the central mission has not: spot hazards, share information quickly and help protect lives.

Halloween should be a time for celebration rather than a preventable tragedy. As another Pumpkin Patrol begins, local families can thank volunteers for their work and do their part by driving carefully and reporting dangerous activity.

Source

New York State Police: 50th Annual Halloween Pumpkin Patrol, October 28, 2026

Utica Phoenix invites readers to share memories of the Pumpkin Patrol and recognize volunteers who have helped keep New York motorists safe.