50th Pumpkin Patrol to Monitor 16 Counties Over Halloween
State Police and amateur radio volunteers will watch Thruway bridges for the half-century anniversary of a program that began in 1976.
By Kenji Hassan ·
New York State Police are preparing for the 50th annual Pumpkin Patrol, a monitoring effort designed to stop drivers from throwing objects onto the New York State Thruway. The conflict between festive tradition and highway safety drives this yearly operation, which State Police say prevents deadly accidents caused by pranks on overpasses.
The initiative relies on a partnership between State Police Troop T and amateur radio volunteers. Troop T officers patrol the Thruway exclusively, while the radio operators watch for suspicious activity. If volunteers see something unsafe, they alert nearby state police or local law enforcement immediately. This network allows for a rapid response to potential hazards before a collision occurs.
State Police expect several hundred participants across 16 counties to join this year. The agency credits the New York State Thruway Authority and volunteer groups for their continued support. The program began as a volunteer project in 1976 in Fort Johnson, Montgomery County. State Police took over coordination in 1990 to integrate the effort into wider crime prevention strategies.
A large number of radio clubs will staff the monitoring posts. Participating groups include the Orange County Amateur Radio Emergency Service, the Greene County Amateur Radio Club, and the Troy Amateur Radio Association. Other partners are the Schenectady Museum Radio Association, Montgomery Radio Association, and Fort Herkimer Amateur Radio Association. The Madison-Oneida Amateur Radio Club and Liverpool Amateur Repeater Club are also involved.
Volunteers from the Drumlins Amateur Radio Club and Skenoh Island Amateur Radio Club will assist as well. The Monroe County, Genesee County, Erie County, and Chautauqua County Amateur Radio Emergency Services will also contribute to the network. These diverse groups ensure coverage across the state’s highway infrastructure.
The Pumpkin Patrol runs alongside standard State Police enforcement actions during the holiday weekend. Officers will increase patrols focused on impaired driving and underage drinking. This combined approach aims to keep the highways safe for the high volume of traffic expected during the holiday.
Source: Patch White Plains
