Kids took over a south Bronx block for a giant Halloween party that's been going on for more than a decade. As borough reporter Erin Clarke tells us it started out as a way to take back the neighborhood from crime.

On Halloween night these police officers traded in their uniforms for costumes and led kids through a haunted house in the south Bronx.

"I thought that it was scary and quite fun at the same time," said one young visitor.

"It was a little spooky," said another.

It was part of the 40th Precinct's Safe Streets, Safe Treats — one of the longest running Halloween events thrown for the community by the NYPD.

It started 16 years ago when drug use and gang activity were rampant in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx and trick or treating often wasn't an option for the kids who lived here.

"It's when that area used to be very high in crime, very dangerous," said NYPD Detective Claudia Mera.

"We came together and said, 'You know what? It's time to take our streets back so that the kids can trick or treat without feeling scared of being pelted with eggs or hit with socks and powder,'" said Gabriel DeJesus, President of the 40^th Precinct Community Council.

In 2001, Safe Streets, Safe Treats took over one block — Brook Avenue between 137th and 138th streets. The idea was to swarm the area for at least one night to deter violence, allowing residents to enjoy their neighborhood again.

And when the event started, it was also during a very difficult time for New Yorkers. Just a month after the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

"After 9/11 people were sad, not coming out like they usually do," said DeJesus. "People were still in shock. So we  decided  to put this event together and bring some hope to the community."

Since then, the neighborhood has become safer and the NYPD attributes that change in part to events like this which build community trust in the police.

"I think it means everything and to see us in a different light and to see everybody getting a laugh and playing together it really is a great thing," said the 40^th Precinct's Commanding Officer Brian Hennessy.

That positive relationship has attracted more families over the years. This Halloween Safe Streets, Safe Treats was so big it had to be moved to the precinct station house and about 1,700 kids participated.

Other Bronx precincts have also joined in the fun putting on similar events.