Council Approves 'Voluntary' Trick-or-Treat Restrictions

Gloucester Township Council President Glen Bianchini opened Monday's council meeting by explaining that a resolution on the agenda to "voluntarily restrict" trick-or-treating is not a measure to "cancel Halloween."

"There was some misinformation placed out there and it's our responsibility to clear it up," he said. "The council has passed this resolution every year since 1982 to promote public safety."

The resolution asks parents to:

"Restrict their children's Halloween celebrations to private parties among friends and not permit their children to engage in Trick or Treat activities by going door to door."

Despite the history of the resolution, few members of the public seemed to know about it. 

"It's the second best night of the year for children," said Heather Rambert. "It's Christmas and then Halloween."

Rambert said council's suggested restrictions, which include concluding trick-or-treating by 7 p.m. and discouraging going door to door, were "unfair to a whole class of people." She said many working parents don't get home until 6 p.m. and it doesn't provide enough time. 

She said she feared residents would learn of the council's Halloween guidelines and turnoff their lights and not handout candy.

Bianchini admitted he still planned to handout candy at his door in the township's Valleybrook development.

"I hope they come so I won't eat up all the candy myself," he said. 

Nearly 200 people turned out for Monday's meeting. Some turned out for a police promotion and induction ceremony.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article incorrectly attributed quotes to Jennifer O'Donnell.