Teens and adults banned from trick-or-treating in US towns for Halloween
It is that time of year again when the ghosts, ghouls and pumpkins come out to play for one night.
Halloween has long been a tradition in US since at least the mid-1800s. The annual event sees millions of children across the country dress up in spooky costumes ready to knock of people's doors in search of candy.
However, where do you draw the line when it comes how old a trick-or-treater should be? A handful of US towns decided for themselves on this matter and made it illegal for teenagers and adults to join in the evening activity.
Although, even these places cannot agree on what constitutes the "correct" age that someone should go trick-or treating. A famous example from recent times in Chesapeake, Virginia saw any teenager trick-or-treating being threatened - via a 1970's ruling - with six months in jail.
READ MORE: POLL: Should trick or treating at Halloween be banned?
Two women in Halloween clown masks break into mum's home and douse her in bleach
Halloween is a change for kids to enjoy gathering lots of candy (Getty Images/EyeEm)The law was changed following a huge backlash from the city's residents. Despite this, its statue still declares that anyone over the age of 14 is guilty of a "misdemeanor."
In areas such as Rayne, Louisiana, and Jacksonville, Illinois, youngsters over the age of 13 are banned from trick-or-treating. While in Belleville, Illinois, anyone above the eight grade is not allowed go trick-or treating due to its "Halloween Solicitation" law.
In the same city, anyone over 12 has to gain "permission of the Mayor or Chief of Police" if they want to wear a mask or disguise on days apart from Halloween on October 31. Plenty of other city ordinances also slap time limits on the event and ask people to stop doing it by 9pm or even as early as 7.30pm.
Taft in Texas, for example, requires everyone to trick-or-treat between the hours of 6pm and 8.30pm, reports NPR. The city's law states: "The practice of persons in previous years on Halloween night in roving all over the city late at night has become ... undesirable," as well as putting a burden on the police department and causing "an intolerable situation."
Some areas in the US impose a time limit on trick-or-treating on Halloween night (Getty Images/Image Source)Some high school students themselves have even picked up on the prickly debate over how old a trick-or-treater should be. In New Jersey, Point Press student reporter Layla V quoted teacher Kiara Bolger as saying: "It's a hard question because if you're wearing a costume, you can go out. But if not then there is no point... otherwise, maybe 15."
While in Peachtree City, Georgia McIntosh High School's student news site found some teenagers instead planned to watch scary movies on Halloween or go to parties. Others said, though, that it was okay for teenagers to go trick-or-treating, especially if they had younger siblings.
Reporter Estrella Jones, however, spoke to one student who was adamant about enjoying the annual tradition: "I am going trick or treating, I don't think it has an age limit. My childhood was an important time in my life, I think it's cool that I get to keep a little bit of it each year as I grow up."
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