Virginia town Chesapeake bans anyone over 14 from trick or treating

Chesapeake, Virginia reportedly fines anyone over the age of 14 who engages in trick or treating of a Class 4 misdemeanour, punishable by a fine of up to $250, as per the city's code of ordinances. Moreover, people trick or treating after 8 PM are also found punishable under the city's rules. The original ordinance was reportedly regulated in 1970 which kept the age limit 12 years and even jailed kids over the age. In March 2019, the city officials raised the limit up to 14 years. 

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The rules are not just limited to Chesapeake but are the same for all cities in the Hampton Roads region which still regulate the old ordinance of age limit of 12 years said Chesapeake spokesperson Heath Covey to the media.

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Ordinance meant for the safety of natives

As per reports, the ordinance came to play after a violent Halloween night back in 1968 when a city lying on Hampton Roads turned violent with incidents of people throwing firecrackers into trick or treaters’ Halloween bags. Chesapeake’s ordinance had to be revised in March as the news about the old ordinance went viral and fans of trick and treating seemed unhappy about the ban expressing it on social media. Amongst them was American television host Jimmy Kimmel who mocked the law.

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No one has been arrested, fined, or jailed for trick or treating till date

The widespread backlash led the officials to revise the law and increase the age limit to 14 and omit the jail time altogether. Yet in the past 49 years since it was regulated, no one was has been arrested, fined, or jailed for trick or treating, officials told media. Covey said that to date whoever was found over 14 and found trick or treating was given nothing but candy as long as they were not getting into trouble. The spokesperson said that the law was put into place only to assure the safety of the residents. If someone assumes that Police patrols the neighborhood, then they are wrong because Police just ensures no one is turning malicious. The city authorities are tracking posts online which demean the ordinance. Until now the response has been positive, he added. 

The spokesperson concluded that he wants everyone to have fun at Halloween and that no ordinance is supposed to stop that.

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