CINCINNATI — It's a debate that kids and parents can all weigh in on: should trick-or-treating take place on weekends only? The City of Cincinnati is exploring the option.
So why the move? Is the city afraid of vampires, werewolves and other monsters prowling only on weekday nights? Not quite. It is more about keeping the spooky fun safe instead of just, well ... spooky.
In a motion filed by Councilmembers Liz Keating, Meeka Owens, Scotty Johnson and Reggie Harris, the council members said changing the trick-or-treating date to a weekend during early evening hours would be safer for children and provide more visibility for both pedestrians and drivers. It would also allow many parents and guardians the chance to go with their children instead of missing out due to work.
"Most neighborhoods cannot participate anymore, so that's the thing. We want to make sure that all kids can participate and that it's safe for all kids," Keating said.
Keating said the switch would improve visibility and help avoid rush hour traffic by being on a weekend.
One OTR resident thinks moving it to earlier in the evening may help improve pedestrian safety.
"I am someone who's been paying close attention to the work that Citi has been doing on pedestrian and bike safety — and I can see how that would be an advantage," said Margy Waller.
In Northside, leaders are already taking action to keep kids safe. There will be a trick-or-treat event in Jergens Park on Monday.
"The park actually has a fence around it so that, you know people can come into that and be safe and then we're having crossing guards around the neighborhood," said Bree Moss, president of Northside Community Council.
Moss said she doesn’t believe moving the date is the answer.
"We want utmost safety, but I think we need to do other things to facilitate that specific day and time in which kids actually want to go trick-or-treating instead of the weekend before."
Keating said city council wants to make sure the community is on board.
"Do the majority of people want to move in or is it just the few that have reached out?" Keating said. "We need everybody on board before we can make a big decision like that."
This year, trick-or-treating in Cincinnati is on Halloween night (Monday) from 6-8 p.m. The vast majority of communities around the Tri-State are also hosting trick-or-treating Monday, Oct. 31 between 6-8 p.m.
To keep both parents and children safe, here are some safety tips from Cincinnati Police Department:
- An adult should always accompany young children while they are out trick-or-treating.
- Older kids who do not need an adult should always trick-or-treat in groups.
- Make sure you choose bright-colored costumes for your kids and give them things such as glowsticks or flashlights to use when the sun sets.
- Make sure you are using the sidewalk whenever possible and walking in well-lit areas.
- Teach your kids to never enter a stranger’s home.
- Always check your child’s candy before letting them consume any.
- If you are driving during Halloween, make sure you use extreme caution while on the roadways. Watch for excited children out trick-or-treating or those kids whose vision may be obstructed because of a costume.
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