APD to conduct No Refusal, Sixth Street safety plans on Halloween

The Austin Police Department will be 100 percent staffed on Halloween night in anticipation of partiers starting their weekend early. APD also is encouraging parents to talk to their kids about Halloween safety.

AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Police Department will be conducting a No Refusal Initiative and closed streets to cars in the Sixth Street area on Halloween night.

Halloween falls on Thursday this year and the initiative will be in place from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in conjunction with the normal weekend no refusal initiative.

According to APD, Halloween weekend is often associated with parties and gatherings where alcohol is present.

APD says the initiative is an effort to enforce DWI laws, keep the public safe by encouraging drivers to make responsible decisions and to apply for blood search warrants on suspects who refuse to provide breath or blood samples as required by law.

APD will also be closing Sixth Street to cars from Brazos Street to I-35 starting at 6 p.m. Cross streets between 5th and 7th streets will also be closed.

Cars parked on Sixth and cross streets (Brazos, San Jacinto, Trinity, Neches, Red River, and Sabine) will be towed begin at 6 p.m.

The I-35 southbound 8th - 3rd Street exit and I-35 northbound 6th Street exit may be closed and additional I-35 exit ramps may also be closed depending on vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the area. Additional closures will be dictated by crowd size for pedestrian safety.

APD is also reminding Austinites that illegal weapons of any type, open containers of alcohol and glass containers are prohibited on Sixth Street.