Glendale police officers deliver treats and a serious message to local students

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Glendale Police Department officers, including officer Tim Lindner giving high-fives to children, visited John Muir Elementary School during their annual Halloween event in Glendale on Thursday, October 29. 2015. The officers talked about safety for Halloween and also passed out candy bags to 36 classrooms.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale Police Department officer Bryan Duncan unloads boxes of goodie bags during visit to talk about safety John Muir Elementary School in Glendale on Thursday, October 29. 2015. The officers passed out candy bags to 36 classrooms.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Students and teachers, some taking a photo, came in their finest costumes to the Halloween parade at John Muir Elementary School in Glendale on Thursday, October 29. 2015. A group of officers and staff from the Glendale Police Department spoke about safety for Halloween and passed out candy bags to 36 classrooms at the school.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale Police Department officer Larry Ballesteros, left, and custody officer Anashe Varoujan, right, passed out gift bags after they spoke about safety at the school in Glendale on Thursday, October 29. 2015. Officers passed out bags to 36 classrooms.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Sixth grade teacher Amy Gentile came dressed as Sleeping Beauty came to the Halloween parade at John Muir Elementary School in Glendale on Thursday, October 29. 2015. A group of officers and staff from the Glendale Police Department spoke about safety for Halloween and passed out candy bags to 36 classrooms at the school.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Fifth grader Isabella Sanchez came as Harley Quinn of Batman fame to the Halloween parade at John Muir Elementary School in Glendale on Thursday, October 29. 2015. A group of officers and staff from the Glendale Police Department spoke about safety for Halloween and passed out candy bags to 36 classrooms at the school.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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John Muir Elementary School first grader Karine Baghdasaryan peeks into her gift bag after a group of officers and staff from the Glendale Police Department spoke about safety and passed out candy bags to 36 classrooms at the school in Glendale on Thursday, October 29. 2015.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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After a Halloween parade at John Muir Elementary School, a group of officers and staff from the Glendale Police Department spoke about safety during Halloween and passed out candy bags to 36 classrooms at the school in Glendale on Thursday, October 29. 2015.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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John Muir Elementary School first grade teacher Penny Armbruster showed her joy after her students answered safety questions correctly during a Glendale Police Department visit to talk about safety at the school in Glendale on Thursday, October 29. 2015. The officers also passed out candy bags to 36 classrooms.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Fifth graders pose for a photo at the Halloween parade at John Muir Elementary School in Glendale on Thursday, October 29. 2015. A group of officers and staff from the Glendale Police Department spoke about safety for Halloween and passed out candy bags to 36 classrooms at the school.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Fifth grade teacher Lana Huleis got into the spirit of Halloween and dressed up as well for the Halloween parade at John Muir Elementary School in Glendale on Thursday, October 29. 2015. A group of officers and staff from the Glendale Police Department spoke about safety for Halloween and passed out candy bags to 36 classrooms at the school.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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First grader Andres Mendoza, as Wolverine, was ready to answer safety questions posed by Glendale police officers during visit to John Muir Elementary School in Glendale on Thursday, October 29. 2015. A group of officers and staff from the Glendale Police Department spoke about safety for Halloween and passed out candy bags to 36 classrooms at the school.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Glendale Police cadet Araz Nazarian passed out bags of goodies to students at John Muir Elementary School in Glendale on Thursday, October 29. 2015. A group of officers and staff from the Glendale Police Department spoke about safety for Halloween and passed out candy bags to 36 classrooms at the school.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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A pirate-themed pumpkin was displayed with others at the Halloween parade at John Muir Elementary School in Glendale on Thursday, October 29. 2015. A group of officers and staff from the Glendale Police Department spoke about safety for Halloween and passed out candy bags to 36 classrooms at the school.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

By Alene Tchekmedyian

Oct. 29, 2015 4:30 PM PT

Glendale police on Thursday delivered Halloween candy bags to 900 elementary school students to spread safety tips as thousands of Glendale children get ready to go trick-or-treating on Saturday.

After costume-clad students shuffled back to their classrooms after the Halloween parade at John Muir Elementary School in the morning, officers visited 36 classrooms with bags of candy, pencils and stickers in tow.

Organized and funded by the Glendale Police Officer’s Assn., the event helps promote positive interactions between police officers and the city’s youth, said Officer Bryan Duncan, union board member and chairman of the union’s Cops for Kids program.

“It’s very important for our students to know that police officers are there to maintain safety and help the citizens,” said Juanita Shahijanian, the school’s principal. “We hope students will be approaching police officers and not avoid them when they see them around.”

Before passing out the treats, officers Josh Luna and Artin Melik asked first-graders what they should do to stay safe on Halloween.

“Go with a light,” said a boy dressed up as a king.

“Don’t make a fire in your house,” said another in a superhero costume.

The officers also reminded first-graders to trick-or-treat with their parents or older siblings, look both ways before crossing streets and discard candies that are already open.

“I see kids in costumes, and I immediately make the connection to my own children,” said Luna, outside the classroom. “You can never tell your kids enough times to be safe.”

Burbank police this week also released a number of Halloween safety tips.

When children wear masks, parents should make sure kids can breathe and see properly, officials said. When going trick-or-treating, children should wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight, stay in well-lit areas and avoid isolated areas or short cuts.

Parents should also remind children to stay alert and report suspicious incidents.

Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Twitter: @atcheck