Police are urging the public to give criminals a ghost of a chance to strike this Halloween, which takes place on Sunday (October 31, as if you didn’t know). Officers warn that dark afternoons and evenings can provide extra cover for criminals seeking out empty homes to target. They say leaving a light on can keep burglars guessing on whether your home is occupied and encourage them to give it a wide berth. Recent research involving interviews with convicted burglars supports this simple tactic as an effective deterrent to thieves.