Should teens be allowed to trick-or-treat?

[Solace]

Should it be made illegal for anyone 13 or older to trick-or-treat? Should teenagers and adults not be allowed to do it? I think it's definitely weird for a teenager or adult to go trick-or-treating (unless they are taking their kids/siblings), but I don't think it should be a crime.

The City of Belleville is getting national attention again for having restrictions on trick-or-treaters. The story was even featured on the Today Show this week. But in the last two years of banning anyone over the age of 14 from trick-or-treating, is it really working?
Imagine a gory, scary mask showing up at your door! On a pint sized body: not so scary. But someone bigger...
Belleville parent Ken Walker said, "He wants to be a gangster, wants to carry a mask and a gun, and told him he probably won't be able to do that."
Not for much longer anyway, Walker's son Daniel is 12-years old. His parents tell him he only has a couple of trick-or-treating years left. In Belleville, it's the law.
"Sometimes you got the late, 9pm, 9:30, 10 o'clock knocks at the door. The high school kids, the college-age kids, going out terrorizing people," said Belleville Police Captain Don Sax.
So as Sax explains: as of three years ago, it's against the law for anyone over the age of 14 to trick-or-treat in Belleville. But in that time, police have never issued even one citation.
"We haven't had any complaints or any violations that have come up, so there have not been any reason to enforce it or make an arrest," said Captain Sax.
17-year old Nathan and buddy Codie aren't complaining about that. As long as no one complains, they're going to go trick-or-treating in Belleville, just as they've done every year since the law said no.
"Who says you have to be a certain age to go trick-or-treating. It's just stupid," said Nathan.
"I like dressing up, like having fun one day out of the year," said Codie.
They both say they don't wear scary costumes, and they're in charge of taking their little brothers and sisters trick-or-treating
"One's eight and the other one's five," said Nathan.
Belleville Police say they don't patrol looking for over-aged trick-or-treaters. But they will respond and enforce the law if anyone calls complaining. They believe having the law keeps many families from allowing their high schoolers to go trick-or-treating.

Belleville trick or treating law -- Does it work? | ksdk.com | St. Louis, MO

 

[iamwhatiseem]

I personally don't give them candy.
But the gov't making it unlawful? Dumb.

 

[chanel]

Obviously they've had some problems, so I'd say each town should make their own curfew. I hate seeing overgrown children begging for candy, but I'll give it to them anyway. If they show up WITHOUT costume, NO CANDY FOR YOU!

 

[strollingbones]

curfews are a good thing...

 

[thereisnospoon]

Should it be made illegal for anyone 13 or older to trick-or-treat? Should teenagers and adults not be allowed to do it? I think it's definitely weird for a teenager or adult to go trick-or-treating (unless they are taking their kids/siblings), but I don't think it should be a crime.

The City of Belleville is getting national attention again for having restrictions on trick-or-treaters. The story was even featured on the Today Show this week. But in the last two years of banning anyone over the age of 14 from trick-or-treating, is it really working?
Imagine a gory, scary mask showing up at your door! On a pint sized body: not so scary. But someone bigger...
Belleville parent Ken Walker said, "He wants to be a gangster, wants to carry a mask and a gun, and told him he probably won't be able to do that."
Not for much longer anyway, Walker's son Daniel is 12-years old. His parents tell him he only has a couple of trick-or-treating years left. In Belleville, it's the law.
"Sometimes you got the late, 9pm, 9:30, 10 o'clock knocks at the door. The high school kids, the college-age kids, going out terrorizing people," said Belleville Police Captain Don Sax.
So as Sax explains: as of three years ago, it's against the law for anyone over the age of 14 to trick-or-treat in Belleville. But in that time, police have never issued even one citation.
"We haven't had any complaints or any violations that have come up, so there have not been any reason to enforce it or make an arrest," said Captain Sax.
17-year old Nathan and buddy Codie aren't complaining about that. As long as no one complains, they're going to go trick-or-treating in Belleville, just as they've done every year since the law said no.
"Who says you have to be a certain age to go trick-or-treating. It's just stupid," said Nathan.
"I like dressing up, like having fun one day out of the year," said Codie.
They both say they don't wear scary costumes, and they're in charge of taking their little brothers and sisters trick-or-treating
"One's eight and the other one's five," said Nathan.
Belleville Police say they don't patrol looking for over-aged trick-or-treaters. But they will respond and enforce the law if anyone calls complaining. They believe having the law keeps many families from allowing their high schoolers to go trick-or-treating.

Belleville trick or treating law -- Does it work? | ksdk.com | St. Louis, MO

Criminal mischief covers this. Another law won't solve anythng. Besides we see older borothers and sisters taking the little ones trick or treating. We always give the older kids candy that are escorting siblings or their neighbor's kids.
I think teens going trick or treating is age inappropriate.
In fact most towns where I come from have 8pm curfews on Oct 30 and 31st for all unaccompnaied minors.
Here, once I turn off the outside light( indicating we're out of candy and it's past the Trick or Treating cutoff time which is 8pm) and someone comes on my porperty, They are tresspassing. If the doorbell rings, I let the dogs out to go to the bathroom. That usually solves the problem. The dogs bark and charge at the miscreant. The dog's barks are saying "get the fuck off my property." The charge means "Now!"

 

[Cecilie1200]

I personally don't give them candy.
But the gov't making it unlawful? Dumb.

Some people are just incapable of formulating a solution to a problem without involving the government.

The only reason my 15-year-old still trick-or-treats is because he's taking his 2-year-old brother out. He likes to dress up to do it, and he certainly doesn't object to getting candy from the deal, but he much prefers going to Hallowe'en parties or watching scary movies with his friends.

 

[Big Black Dog]

curfews are a good thing...

My folks made me be home before sunrise. Damn it.

 

[syrenn]

I have mixed feeling about older teens trick or treating. I have had a range of experiences with them. Truthfully opining the door for a group of bigger kids can be intimidating. We get many "imports" from all over the city so its not just the neighbor kids coming to your door.

I give out A LOT of candy. At one point i used a basket and let the kids take handfuls of candy. I would have groups of teens come and i hold out the basket and would have 10 hands in the basket at once and its GONE. I have had groups come up and i hold out the basket and they each take only one piece.

I changed to goodie bags and hand them out now. That way there is not mass grab.

I am fine with larger teens when they are coming with a little ones. One group, and i must say i thought they looked rather tough and i felt they were going to be a problem, came and were the most polite group i have ever met. It was when i was still holding out the basket and each one only took one small piece. That is when i say "no no...you do it like this" and reach in a with double hands and just scoop out mounds into their bags. The look in their eyes is priceless! After they had all had some and were on the way down the stairs the oldest one hung back and whispered to me.. "lady that was the nicest thing anyone has ever done to us " I was THRILLED!

I have had other large groups of boys come to the door. They see the goodie bags everyone is walking away with, and i hand them each a single candy bar. I have had them ask for a bag and i ask where their costume are and aren't they a bit old for trick or treating. I joke with my husband that i should hand out to them condoms!

As for laws prohibiting teens from trick or treating i don't think its a good idea. Kids are only kids once. So long as they are just having fun and not being destructive...let them stay young and have fun!

 

[chanel]

Well its not yet 7 and we are almost out. Groups of 10 or 20 are showing up in vans. In the interest of MONEY, I would love to see some restrictions just to keep the numbers down. This is ridiculous. 150 large candy bars and 100 bags of chips and I'm going to have to turn out the lights an hour early. Bah humbug! Lol

 

[Ravi]

You mean you people don't trick or treat?