Halloween is still on in Whiteville.
City Council voted Tuesday to remove the so-called “Halloween Ordinance” from the city’s code. City manager Darren Currie explained that Whiteville was one of many municipalities that passed trick or treating ordinances in decades past, largely to cut down on mischief by older kids.
“We have laws on the books that can handle anything that might come up like that,” Currie said.
City officials were criticized last year about the wording of the section of the code. Currie said. City rules banning trick or treating by older children has resulted in legal action in some communities, such as Hampton Roads, Va., which had an ordinance similar to Whiteville.
The old rules had age limits and other restrictions on trick or treating and Halloween that a legal firm warned could be seen as suppressing First Amendment rights, Currie said.
“We didn’t want to make the national news like Hampton Roads,” Currie said.
Council approved removing the trick or treating regulations and replacing them with a proclamation encouraging safety on Halloween.
Only children 16 or under, or special needs persons of any age, are welcome to trick or treat under the new rules. Trick or treating will be observed from 6-8:30 p.m. on Halloween this year, Currie said. Residents who don’t wish to participate are asked to turn off their front porch lights. Treat-seekers are also asked to respect the wishes of those who don’t participate, Currie said.
Council also asked that the safety guidelines encourage parental supervision and children be advised to carry lights or wear reflective clothing. Adults are also asked to pay particular attention to traffic in areas that are popular with trick or treating.
Mayor Terry Mann asked that the latter provision be added.
“There are times on Pinckney Street (at Halloween) that you can’t go five miles and hour,” he said.
