Long-running Halloween event aims to build trust between children and officers
For nearly 15 years, the Webb County Precinct 2 Constable’s Office has transformed Halloween in Laredo by turning patrol vehicles into candy-dispensing stations and inviting families to meet the officers who patrol their neighborhoods. The annual Trunk or Treat event, organized by Constable Mike Villarreal, returns Oct. 31 at the Walmart on Zapata Highway and has become a fixture for parents and children seeking a safe, community-centered alternative to traditional trick-or-treating.
The event typically draws 20 to 30 vehicles from a mix of local agencies, including the Laredo Police Department, Webb County Sheriff’s Office, United ISD and Laredo ISD. Agencies, community groups and businesses decorate vehicle trunks and distribute candy and prizes. Organizers also run costume contests and other activities for children.
Organizing the Trunk or Treat requires sustained community support. Candy and supplies are provided through donations and purchases by the precinct and participating deputies. High school students contribute through organized donation drives and volunteer work that can translate into graduation-required community-service hours.
“Most of the decorations our own deputies buy with their own money,” Villarreal said.
Villarreal outlined the student service-hour arrangements: students donating two party-size bags of candy can receive up to 10 community-service hours, while donating four party-size bags can qualify a student for 30 hours. The precinct relies on that level of community support as costs for candy and supplies have risen; organizers say individual candy bags sometimes cost between $30 and $40.
Local businesses and sponsors play a supporting role. Walmart has provided parking space for the event and participates in the activities, and other local sponsors including elected officials, car clubs and community organizations contribute candy and time. The collaboration helps offset the increased cost of running the event and keeps it accessible for families.
- Date: Oct. 31
- Time: Begins at 4 p.m.; families often line up earlier
- Location: Walmart on Zapata Highway
- Participants: Precinct 2 Constable’s Office, Laredo Police Department, Webb County Sheriff’s Office, United ISD, Laredo ISD and other partners
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical vehicles | 20–30 agency and community vehicles |
| Student service-hour offers | 2 party-size bags = 10 hours; 4 party-size bags = 30 hours |
| Estimated candy bag cost | $30–$40 each |
Organizers say the event’s mission goes beyond candy. By placing officers in a friendly, community setting, the Trunk or Treat aims to strengthen relationships between young people and law enforcement. For nearly a decade and a half, that hands-on interaction has been the program’s primary selling point—an opportunity for children to see safety personnel as neighbors and helpers rather than only as figures in uniform.
While the precinct and community partners navigate rising costs, they are committed to maintaining the event’s scale and free admission. Families planning to attend should expect early lines and crowded parking; the precinct’s arrangement with Walmart provides a centralized site with space for the display vehicles that make the event visually appealing to children.
The Trunk or Treat is also a practical volunteer opportunity for area high school students seeking to meet service-hour requirements for graduation. That aspect of the program links law enforcement community outreach to educational incentives, encouraging young people to engage in civic activities while supporting a family-oriented holiday tradition.
As Halloween approaches, Precinct 2 leaders hope the event will continue to foster trust and goodwill between the community and its public-safety agencies, and to provide a safe, festive option for families across Laredo.
