I am a single, 76-year-old woman, who lives alone with my miniature dachshund. For the 20-plus years I have lived here, I have enjoyed taking part in “trick or treat” night. I would prepare around 200 small bags with a spider ring, a creepy critter and a few pieces of candy. It was fun to talk to the treaters and see their costumes. I served the adults hot cider and doughnut holes. The evening was one that I looked forward to.

In recent years, the police have closed off my neighborhood to cars in an effort to protect the children. I have a few issues with this policy: First, and most important, the parents should have the responsibility of protecting their children, teaching them how to behave on streets and spending quality time with them.

Another issue is that selecting one neighborhood for all the city’s children to trick or treat in puts an unfair burden on the people living in that neighborhood to have enough treats for the increased number of children. I, for one, cannot afford to buy that many treats – and forget the hot cider and doughnut holes.

The result of selecting my neighborhood is that I can no longer participate.

Pam Murray
Bath

Copy the Story Link