With Halloween just a few weeks away, the Niles City Council on Monday announced the city’s official trick or treat time and approved a request from downtown merchants to hold the 16th annual Downtown Safe Trick or Treat event.

Mayor Mike McCauslin officially set door-to-door trick or treat for between the hours of 6 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

The council also approved the downtown trick-or-treat event to be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.

Downtown merchants expect between 700 and 1,200 people to attend downtown trick-or-treat event, when businesses and other organizations hand out candy to costumed children.

The police department will provide assistance with traffic control during the event.

Also Monday:

• Two citizens praised local fire departments for helping with a recent fire at the Niles Housing Commission and one citizen praised the street department for its efforts in improving the city’s roads and sidewalks.

• The council approved paying the city’s 25 percent matching portion of a $100,000 PlacePlans grant through the Michigan Municipal League. The grant is paying to study the development of key properties owned by the city and the future economic development of area around the St. Joseph River in Niles. The city received an anonymous donation of $25,000 that will cover the city’s local match.

• Approved the purchase of four digital patrol car camera systems and equipment for police department patrol cars from Watch Guard Video of Allen, Texas for $20,028. The police department is in the process of systematically updating the audio and video systems in its patrol vehicles.