Santa Barbara Police Activities League hosts annual Trunk-or-Treat for local families

About 2,000 people attended the free Halloween celebration, featuring decorated vehicles, candy and first responders.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Local families got a head start on Halloween festivities Thursday night at the annual Trunk-or-Treat celebration in Santa Barbara.

Hosted by the Santa Barbara Police Activities League (SBPAL), the free community event brought together children, families and first responders for an evening of Halloween fun in a safe, family-friendly environment.

Vehicles were transformed into elaborate Halloween displays, each featuring its own unique theme. From Jurassic Park to a haunted Parks and Recreation maze, the decorated trunks offered plenty of opportunities for trick-or-treaters to collect candy and encounter a few surprises along the way.

The spooky setups even prompted some screams from young visitors.

“He scared me, I screamed!” one attendee said.

Organizers estimated about 2,000 people attended the event, giving local families an opportunity to celebrate Halloween while connecting with first responders and community partners.

The annual Trunk-or-Treat is part of SBPAL's efforts to bring law enforcement and the community together through activities and events for local youth and families.