Ahead of the spooky season, two New Jersey towns have imposed age limits on trick-or-treating in a bid to enhance safety. Since 2017, Pennsauken in Camden County has prohibited those over 14 from participating in the Halloween tradition.
Upper Deerfield Township in Cumberland County has followed suit this year. “Trick or treating is for kids, not adults. Anyone over the age of 14 cannot go out trick or treating, unless you’re acting as a chaperone,” stated Pennsauken’s official website. The site also noted, “And unfortunately, chaperones can’t ask for any candy or treats. They have to wait until they get home to help their kids ‘sort’ the candy.”
Bags with Halloween toys for adults are making a comeback, including a coupon book with 5 free Frostys. In addition, there’s buzz around Wisconsin’s Beast of Bray Road, with locals wondering if the legendary werewolf-like creature will make an appearance this Halloween, reports The Mirror US.
Upper Deerfield Township has set the bar at 12 years old for trick-or-treaters, although it admits the rule hasn’t been strictly enforced and serves more as guidance. It’s not just New Jersey enforcing these rules; similar restrictions have been seen across the US, with Chesapeake, Virginia limiting trick-or-treating to pre-teens since 1970 after incidents of older teens causing trouble for younger kids.
Under Chesapeake law, those who breach the age restriction rule could face jail time. However, in 2019, the city council revised the law, raising the age limit from 12 to 14 and eliminating the potential for imprisonment for violations.
Local officials have stated that no one has been arrested or charged under this ordinance. A recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University asked 800 Americans if they believed there should be an age cap on trick or treating.
Approximately 25% of participants said there should not be an age limit, while the rest suggested children should cease trick or treating around ages 13-14. Older respondents felt children should stop trick or treating around age 13, while younger ones thought children of all ages should be allowed to participate, according to the study.
The study also revealed a significant split among political affiliations, with Trump supporters 10% less likely than Harris supporters to say that people of all ages should be permitted to trick or treat. Those identifying as LGBTQ+ were more likely to say there should be no age limits on trick or treating.
The survey was conducted between Oct. 8 and 14, using a list of registered voters nationwide carried out by Braun Research of Princeton.
