Austin ISD Police Department is throwing open the gates at Nelson Athletic Complex this Saturday for its seventh annual Trunk or Treat, inviting families across northeast Austin to trade dark sidewalks for a lot full of decorated trunks, candy, and games. The event runs from 5 pm to 8 pm on October 24 at 7105 Berkman Drive, with games and candy rounding out the evening.
The event features games and candy. This marks the seventh year the department has organized the event, which it first launched in October 2019 to give elementary students a safe alternative to neighborhood trick-or-treating, according to Austin ISD.
A Northeast Austin Tradition Rooted in Specific Schools
When the event debuted in 2019, it was held at Nelson Field near Andrews, Blanton, Harris, Hart, Pecan Springs, Pickle, and Winn elementary schools, according to Austin ISD.
Police vehicles will be part of this year's event, alongside candy and games. The department's Community Engagement Division seeks to build trust and lasting relationships.
National Teen Driver Safety Week
National Teen Driver Safety Week runs October 18 through October 24, according to the City of Austin.
The push comes against a sobering backdrop. Texas Department of Transportation data reported by the City of Austin shows that 250 teenage drivers between the ages of 15 and 18 were involved in fatal vehicle crashes across the state in 2025. Child pedestrian safety is also a concern around Halloween.
Why Halloween Night Carries Extra Risk for Kids on Foot
The timing of trunk-or-treat events like this one is not incidental. A 42-year study of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data published in JAMA Pediatrics found that pedestrian fatality risk rises 43% on Halloween night compared to other evenings, with children between ages 4 and 8 facing a tenfold increase in risk. More than half of Halloween pedestrian fatalities involving children under 18 occur between 5 pm and 9 pm, a window that overlaps directly with this Saturday's 5 pm to 8 pm event.
Texas-specific numbers paint a similarly stark picture. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that October is historically the deadliest month for pedestrians statewide, with pedestrian fatalities rising 22% over five years. The agency's Be Safe. Drive Smart. safety campaign is a year-long effort.
Police Vehicles at the Event
Police vehicles will be part of the event, giving students and families a chance to see the department in a community setting.
Families planning to attend should head to Nelson Athletic Complex at 7105 Berkman Drive between 5 pm and 8 pm this Saturday for candy, games, and police vehicles.
