This October in an attempt to stop Halloween day mischief, the city of Chesapeake, Va. has passed an ordinance code threatening Trick-or-Treaters over the age of 12 with fines and/or jail time.
The city’s new code states that any persons over the age of 12 caught participating in Trick-or-Treat or “similar activities,” will be charged with a misdemeanor and fined an amount between $25 and $100, as well as facing the possibility of a jail sentence up to six months.
The rule does have the exception that older siblings or guardians over the age of 12 accompanying young Trick-or-Treaters is acceptable, and the city has stated they do not intend to seek out violators, according to CBS News.
The city also plans on enforcing the strict end time of 8 p.m. for Trick-or-Treating. Violating this strict Halloween schedule will result in charge of a misdemeanor, a fine of up to $100 and up to 30 days of jail time.
The city’s officials have stated that the reason behind these new laws is to stop Trick-or-Treating related mischief caused by older teens, and Chesapeake isn’t alone in this opinion.
Many other Virginia cities such as Portsmouth, Hampton, Norfolk and James City County have put in place similar rules as Chesapeake.
If these cities truly are trying to cut down on Halloween day shenanigans, such as the theft and smashing of pumpkins, TP’ing houses and etc…, are these new laws really the best way to go?
Trick-or-Treating before age 12 almost always means going with an adult or guardian, as most parents rightly don’t feel safe letting younger children out alone that late.
However, usually around age 12 or 14, kids begin to start exploring independently and go Trick-or-Treating with friends rather than siblings and family.
I could understanding frowning upon Trick-or-Treaters above the age of 17 or 18, which I feel most people already do because after all, Trick-or-Treat is a fun childhood activity. However, children between the ages of 12 and 15 are most definitely still children.
This isn’t the only absurd law found in the U.S.A.; for example, in a city in Alabama it is considered a public safety violation to carry, manufacture, sell or handle confetti.
In Mississippi, despite freedom of speech, public profanity is in fact illegal. The use of “vulgar or obscene language” in the presence of more than two people can be punished by up to 30 days in jail.
While it is hard to enforce, in Nebraska it is illegal to get married if you have an STD. This law is considered part of the health code and could prevent thousands of Nebraskans from marriage.
In Utah, it is illegal to “hurl a missile” at a bus or bus terminal, unless you are a peace officer or security personnel. Violation of this law is a third degree felony. What is absurd about this law is the specification of hurling a missile, and that peace officers are exempt.
The U.S is full of these odd laws, and there is at least one in every state. Some of them are downright weird, some oddly specific, and others that make you wonder why that’s there. In future Dwyn’s Dens I intend to look at more of these odd laws.
You may not be able to let your donkey sleep in a bathtub, drive blindfolded, Trick-or-Treat after age 12, drunkenly hurl someone in a bar or eat a frog that died during a race, but if you live in South Dakota, it is perfectly legal to set off explosives like fireworks to safeguard your sunflower crops. Have a great week everyone!
Cerridwyn Kuykendall
Managing Editor