RAIN FORECAST; MALL WILL BE BUSY TONIGHT

With the weather turning cold and rain in the forecast, many of the most fashionable trick-or-treaters will find themselves haunting the halls of West Park Mall tonight.

The forecast calls for cloudy conditions with a 70 percent chance of rain. The high today will be in the upper 50s and the low in the upper 30s.

West Park Mall merchants are gearing themselves up for the thousands of costumed children who will be storming their stores tonight in search of candy, and shelter from the weather if forecasters are right.

Trick-or-treat hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m.

Cape Girardeau Police Capt. Steve Strong said he likes to make sure he has a full staff of officers for Halloween night. They will be patrolling areas where vandalism has been a problem in the past and will be on the lookout for any traffic problems that may arise from the holiday activities.

Strong said he doesn't require extra officers to be on duty Halloween night but he does advise them to be on the lookout for the unexpected.

The bad weather is both a bonus and a curse for patrolmen though, as it may keep many children off the streets tonight. But rainy weather may also make it more difficult for drivers to see trick-or-treaters, especially those dressed in black.

Strong also said residents should bring objects inside that they do not wish to be disturbed tonight as many items are targets for vandalism.