Should There Be Age Limits for Trick or Treating?

What’s the story?

• Have fun going cell-block to cell-block saying “Trick or treat!”
• In Chesapeake, Virginia, a city law says that anyone over 12 who engages in the "activity commonly known as trick or treat could face a $100 fine or up to six months in jail."
• Various other cities in Virginia, New Jersey, and South Carolina have also placed age-caps on trick and/or treating. Should other cities and states follow (costumed) suit?

What are people saying?

• Law enforcement officials in Chesapeake say you shouldn’t worry if you’ve hit puberty and still want candy corn to throw away.
• “Chesapeake Police staff will focus on making sure the evening is safe for everyone, not actively seeking out violations of the time or age limits,” the city says on its website.

“For example, a thirteen year old safely trick or treating with a younger sibling is not going to have any issues. That same child taking pumpkins from porches and smashing them in the street more likely will.”

• Heath E. Covey, director of public communications at the City of Chesapeake, told CityLab that the ordinance is in place for possible protection.

“The ordinance is there in the interest of making sure our police force has an option to enforce it,” Covey said.  

• The American Civil Liberties Union still thinks the laws are more tricks than treats.
• “These ghoulish limitations are too scary, even for Halloween,” the organization wrote in a blog post.

“They also impose a severe limitation on a cherished tradition for many kids and families… The only thing a 13-year-old trick-or-treater should fear is a stomach ache at bedtime—not jail.”

What do you think?

Should towns impose an age limit on trick or treating? Take action above, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com / Highwaystarz-Photography)