It’s no trick – Merriam police officers will give you a ticket if you or your children aren’t properly buckled during Halloween week.

Between Monday, Oct. 28 and Friday, Nov. 1, officers will patrol local elementary schools as part of “Ticket or Treat.” They’ll look for seatbelt violators during school drop off and pick up times to promote the importance of seatbelt use.

The Merriam Police Department is partnering with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and other law enforcement agencies across the state. According to a 2017 KDOT study, 98% of children are properly restrained when their driver is wearing a seatbelt. Only 26% of children are properly restrained when the driver isn’t buckled.