Chesapeake, VA Doesn’t Really Arrest Or Fine 15 Year-Olds For Trick Or Treating
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 31: The Abrahms family of Fort Greene, Brooklyn “trick or treat” as Brooklyn residents participate in Halloween activities on October 31, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
Over the past few months, Chesapeake, Virgina has found itself on the recieving end of punch lines, due to its supposed law that says that trick-or-treaters over the age of 14 face a $250 fine; additionally, anyone trick-or-treating after 8 pm also gets slapped with a $250 charge. Chesapeake has been painted as something of a Grinch-town.
As CNN reports, the law was introduced after a violent Halloween in 1968 where a local city witnessed several incidents, including people throwing firecrackers into trick or treaters' Halloween bags. However, in the past 49 years, since the original ordinance was put in place, Chesapeake has not arrested, fined, or jailed a single person for trick or treating.
Chesapeake spokesperson Heath Covey told CNN that "Anyone over 14 who trick or treats in Chesapeake will not receive anything but candy," as long as they're not causing trouble. The law's purpose is to give police the ability to take action if someone were to do "something malicious."
CNN adds that the police do not "card people" to confirm their ages. And on Halloween, local law enforcement focuses on ensuring no one is speeding through the streets; their main objective is to protect trick or treaters.
