Oh My Gourd! Bay Village Police ‘Attacked’ by Rogue Halloween Decoration

BAY VILLAGE, OHIO — A lighthearted Halloween decoration mishap in Bay Village gained widespread attention this week after a giant inflatable pumpkin blocked a local roadway, prompting a quick response from police. On the morning of Oct. 14, officers from the Bay Village Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of Wolf Road and Saddler Road after reports of a runaway 15-foot inflatable jack-o-lantern obstructing traffic.

Dash camera footage shared by the Bay Village Police Department on Facebook showed the massive pumpkin rolling into the street, causing a brief traffic disruption. One officer was seen attempting to wrangle the inflatable when it suddenly toppled over him, creating a moment of humor for both the officers and viewers.

"Luckily, no officers (or pumpkins) were harmed during the event," the Bay Village Police Department said in a lighthearted post accompanying the video.

After a few moments of struggle, the officer managed to free himself from the inflatable and call for backup. With the assistance of other responding officers, the pumpkin was safely removed from the road and returned to its owner. Police have yet to confirm if the homeowner has taken additional precautions to prevent a similar runaway incident in the future.

The unusual event has since gone viral, with the video receiving nearly hundreds of thousands of views on social media. The playful post on the Bay Village Police Department's Facebook page garnered a number of amused comments from residents. One commenter, offered a more serious takeaway: "As funny as this is, it’s also a good reminder to deflate your decorations during a wind/storm. Thankfully it didn’t get tied up in the power lines or worse!”

Although the situation was resolved without injury or property damage, it serves as a reminder of the importance of securing outdoor decorations, especially as unpredictable fall weather continues in Northeast Ohio.