MARIETTA - While it's time for tricks and treats, police are emphasizing safety and good judgment.

There will be more Cobb officers working today because of the holiday. Cobb Police Officer Joe Hernandez said the department's tactical units, DUI task force and other traffic services units will be working, and all five of its precincts that will have additional staffing. Hernandez said the hours of some Cobb units have been altered to later hours, when more people will be out.

"Halloween is always a busy holiday with an increased call volume. We expect the same this year," he said. "We just want everyone to enjoy, act responsibly and be safe ... Officers will be especially vigilant in being seen in neighborhoods and subdivisions, also with an emphasis on removing unsafe drivers from the roadways."

The Marietta Police Department will have normal patrols with a special focus on neighborhoods and areas with children, Officer Michael Gardner said.

"We are not expecting anything out of the normal; however, we will be vigilant as always for holidays that fall on Saturdays," Gardner said. "We will have our (Selective Traffic Enforcement Program) Unit out focusing on DUI, traffic safety and support for uniform patrol in case of some unforeseen event."

Crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration consistently show Halloween is a particularly deadly night due to drunken drivers, according to the Governor's Office of Highway Safety. In 2008, one in three fatalities in Georgia on Halloween night were alcohol related, according to the GOHS.

GOHS Director Bob Dallas said his agency will be joining highway safety agencies statewide today to stop impaired drivers.

"With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, we want to make sure Georgia revelers aren't taking the party to our roadways, or putting young trick-or-treaters or responsible motorists at risk," he said. "Highway safety officers throughout Georgia will be out in force, sending drunk drivers straight to jail."

For partygoers, Hernandez recommended they have safe transportation arrangements made in advance.

Trick-or-treaters, he said, should accompany an adult, look both ways before crossing any roadway, only go to well-lit homes, try to wear light-colored clothing for increased visibility, visit homes of familiar people, and report any suspicious activity to the police by dialing 911.