Stupid Halloween Laws

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I don't see a thread about this already but I apologize if I'm being repetitive.

I heard something on the radio today that really upset me, maybe more than it should have. A city in my province made all these laws regarding Halloween. Kids can't start trick or treat before 5 pm and they have to be off the roads by 7 pm. Anyone caught in a costume in public after 7 pm can be fined up to $200. In addition, no one over the age of 14 is allowed to trick or treat. (I guess it would be better if they were under-aged drinking somewhere instead of acting like a kid.) I feel so sorry for the kids in that town.

What kind of bizarro world is this turning into? When I was growing up, there were no Halloween rules and certainly no laws or fines. If it continues like this, why not just outlaw Halloween all together? Are there strange laws like this weree you come from?

 

[clgwli]

We have rules and have always had rules growing up. No fines, but we had set times. Nice to know when to plan for. Just ended now. I don't see the issue personally.

 

[C.Ann]

I agree..

No time constraints or age restraints here - and guess what? They can acutally trick-or-treat on Halloween!!!!

I'm telling you - thanks to the PC groups and special interest groups - they're sucking the life out of all of the fun activities and holidays that children have been celebrating for years and years and years..

 

[DawnCt1]

I don't see a thread about this already but I apologize if I'm being repetitive.

I heard something on the radio today that really upset me, maybe more than it should have. A city in my province made all these laws regarding Halloween. Kids can't start trick or treat before 5 pm and they have to be off the roads by 7 pm. Anyone caught in a costume in public after 7 pm can be fined up to $200. In addition, no one over the age of 14 is allowed to trick or treat. (I guess it would be better if they were under-aged drinking somewhere instead of acting like a kid.) I feel so sorry for the kids in that town.

What kind of bizarro world is this turning into? When I was growing up, there were no Halloween rules and certainly no laws or fines. If it continues like this, why not just outlaw Halloween all together? Are there strange laws like this weree you come from?

I agree. Who legislates stuff like that! The unwritten rule is 9 pm ish, but its Friday night. My light will be on until I run out of candy, even if its after nine. There are too many Halloween scrooges!

 

[MidgeD79]

In our county, each village/town/city sets their own time -usually between 6:30 -8:00. There is no age limit and no fines. Everyone still uses the "light on porch means cnady is available" rule. The weather was perfect tonight and we had lots of fun. I did see some of the behaviors that bother me at WDW like stopping in the middle of the sidewalk and taking up the whole side walk (3 people across). Most kids were well behaved and I heard a lot of compliments between the kids.

 

[legalsea]

I agree.

I think all parents have the right to dress their children up in dark costumes with small eye-holes in their masks and send them out to walk on dark streets begging for candy.

NOTE: Just kidding. I read that the other day and it tickled me. However, it struck a nerve with me: when I was a child, that is exactly how I was dressed. That "Casper" costume still haunts me.

 

[TDC Nala]

Maryland (I don't live in Maryland but the same Metro area) apparently has a law that sex offenders must post a sign on their doors reading "No Candy At This Residence," refrain from decorating and keep lights off.

Makes some sort of sense, except for the past two days they have been arguing about whether or not the sign is required to have a picture of a pumpkin on it.

 

[JimmyPicker]

Maryland law actually goes farther than that. Any sex offender must remain IN THEIR HOUSE, with the lights off on Halloween night. Since there are so many kids out and about, they want the offenders inside their house all night.

And yes, we have "rules" here. 6pm til 8pm. When I was a kid, trick or treating didn't start until dark. Not sunset, but dark. And there was no time limit. I don't know why they do it. I guess they just don't want kids running around that late.

 

[Northstar]

I don't see a thread about this already but I apologize if I'm being repetitive.

I heard something on the radio today that really upset me, maybe more than it should have. A city in my province made all these laws regarding Halloween. Kids can't start trick or treat before 5 pm and they have to be off the roads by 7 pm. Anyone caught in a costume in public after 7 pm can be fined up to $200. In addition, no one over the age of 14 is allowed to trick or treat. (I guess it would be better if they were under-aged drinking somewhere instead of acting like a kid.) I feel so sorry for the kids in that town.

What kind of bizarro world is this turning into? When I was growing up, there were no Halloween rules and certainly no laws or fines. If it continues like this, why not just outlaw Halloween all together? Are there strange laws like this weree you come from?

Aren't you in New Brunswick? To be fair to that city, haven't they had major problems with vandalism... like cars burning in the street on Halloween??
I can see where you might get a little inclined to regulate things if you have a Halloween culture that's, well, devilish.

 

[disneymom3]

Well, that puts a different spin on things. I am thinking if I lived in a town with problems I would be happy for the regulation.

 

[debbi801]

Maryland (I don't live in Maryland but the same Metro area) apparently has a law that sex offenders must post a sign on their doors reading "No Candy At This Residence," refrain from decorating and keep lights off.

Makes some sort of sense, except for the past two days they have been arguing about whether or not the sign is required to have a picture of a pumpkin on it.

How far outside the beltway are you? We're outside it too.

I was watching out for one of those signs tonight, but never saw one. i heard that in Frederick County (or maybe Carroll?) they were planning on requiring all offenders to go to some 4 hour long "class" at an undisclosed location to ensure no one tried to give out candy.

The whole battle over whether or not it had a pumpkin was absurd--our tax dollars at work. Gotta have those slots.

 

[kirbsam]

4-7 here. safety issue. i am ok with it. dont care how old kids are.

 

[heatherleigh]

That is absolutely ridiculous! If they have any rules here, I'm not aware of them. I never watch the local news.

I just got my first group of TOTs though! About 7 of them in a group, all in costume! I'm excited now. I hope I got enough candy...

 

[TDC Nala]

How far outside the beltway are you? We're outside it too.


The whole battle over whether or not it had a pumpkin was absurd--our tax dollars at work. Gotta have those slots.

I'm so close to it I can hear it, but I am outside it.

I did hear they were finally given the option of using a sign with a pumpkin or a sign with no pumpkin way to go Maryland

 

[lovesmurfs]

Here in Chicago suburb, it was 3-7 p.m. Who's home at 3 p.m.?

Age casting like that is really hard. My DS was 6 foot tall at age 13, and had been shaving for a couple of years. Several of his friends are in the same boat. Does your area require a note from their mom stating their real age, or do they need to be carrying their birth certificate? Seems a little silly.

 

[debbi801]

I'm so close to it I can hear it, but I am outside it.

I did hear they were finally given the option of using a sign with a pumpkin or a sign with no pumpkin way to go Maryland

ROFL. So nice that everyone came to an agreement. We're a bit outside it, far enough that we don't hear it. But, we are super close to 795, so I can hear that instead.

I was suprised to see police cars patrolling the neighborhood with lights flashing (but no sirens) during the trick or treating time.

 

[blowinbubbles]

Here in Chicago suburb, it was 3-7 p.m. Who's home at 3 p.m.?

Age casting like that is really hard. My DS was 6 foot tall at age 13, and had been shaving for a couple of years. Several of his friends are in the same boat. Does your area require a note from their mom stating their real age, or do they need to be carrying their birth certificate? Seems a little silly.

I hear you! I took my 6'1" 11-year old trick-or-treating tonight. . . I was almost embarrassed! He got some strange looks, mostly from the old folks. .

 

[TomLovesBecky]

Maryland law actually goes farther than that. Any sex offender must remain IN THEIR HOUSE, with the lights off on Halloween night. Since there are so many kids out and about, they want the offenders inside their house all night.

And yes, we have "rules" here. 6pm til 8pm. When I was a kid, trick or treating didn't start until dark. Not sunset, but dark. And there was no time limit. I don't know why they do it. I guess they just don't want kids running around that late.

Here they have "parties" for the sex offenders downtown. Really! They are required to report at 5 PM unless they are working and stay until 10 PM unless they are working. They have to prove that they are working to opt out, if they don't and whereabouts are unknown a warrant is immediately issued for their arrest and an APB is put out on them. From what I heard, it really is a party. They have pizza and soda and watch Halloween movies or whatever. It seems stupid but I guess it does keep them off the streets and away from their homes on Halloween. Guess officials were worried that just telling sex offenders to stay in their homes with lights off could lead to someone inviting just one kid inside...and that's all it takes.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

If there is an ordinance stating what time trick-or-treat ends I have not heard about it. I just took DS to a party, and I left to come back home at 8:40 PM. Trick-or-treaters EVERYWHERE! Think they will still be out there at 11 PM when I go back to pick up DS?

 

[MichelleVW]

We have rules and have always had rules growing up. No fines, but we had set times. Nice to know when to plan for. Just ended now. I don't see the issue personally.

In our county, each village/town/city sets their own time -usually between 6:30 -8:00. There is no age limit and no fines. Everyone still uses the "light on porch means cnady is available" rule. The weather was perfect tonight and we had lots of fun. I did see some of the behaviors that bother me at WDW like stopping in the middle of the sidewalk and taking up the whole side walk (3 people across). Most kids were well behaved and I heard a lot of compliments between the kids.

Everywhere I have ever lived had set hours for Trick or Treat. I don't see the big deal?

I've lived in Texas, Ohio, Alaska, North Carolina and North Dakota and every place had set hours.

Who the heck wants kids coming to there door at random hours?