Bathurst relaxes ban on trick-or-treating for some teens, rolls back curfew

Changes that roll back a controversial Halloween bylaw that banned trick-or-treating for older teenagers and set a curfew on the pursuit of sugary loot don't go far enough, says the deputy mayor of a northern New Brunswick community.

"I wanted to demolish it altogether but I got outvoted," KimChamberlain said in an interviewTuesdayof theBathurstcity bylawthat made it illegal for teens over the age of 14 to paradedoor-to-door dressed as ghosts and goblins, and set a7 p.m.cutoff.

"At least we were able to make some modifications."

The new rules expected to pass third reading in early October now forbid anyone older than 16 from trick-or-treating and relaxes thecurfew to8 p.m.

• Bathurst bylaw: No trick-or-treating after 7 p.m., must be under 14

Those caught with a "facial disguise" in public after curfew like a zombie mask or witch's veil or anyone over 16 found roamingthe streets for treats can be fined up to $200.

Chamberlaincalled it an overreach for citycouncillorsto imposeHalloween rules, noting that homeowners can turn out their porchlights if they don't want trick-or-treaters past a certain hour.

"It's silly," Chamberlain said. "If I have a trick-or-treaterknock on my door at8:30 p.m.I'm not going to say no."

Accommodate parents

She said some parents work until6 p.m.or later, and that theyneed time to make supper and cajole young children into costumes.

"At least we made some changes to accommodate parents who areworking later so they at least have time to feed their children anddress them up before they go trick-or-treating," Chamberlain said.

• Halloween in northern city and village limit treat seekers

But she expressed concern about teens being questioned for dressing up or asking for candy.

"Some kids are tall," she said. "My cousin's son is 5-4 and 15years old. What are we going to do, go up to him and ask him 'Howold are you' and 'Show me your ID? That doesn't make sense."

Bathurstcity spokesman LucFoulemadmitted the rules are a bit "kooky" but said no one will be out running after kids on
Halloween.

He said older residents were concerned about "troublemakers"and that the goal is to ensure public safety. No one has ever beenfined under the city bylaw,Foulemadded.

The first iteration ofBathurst'sHalloween bylaw was brought in after a troubling rash of Halloween-night mischief.

Chamberlain said older kids were actually stealing candy from younger kids, something she argued can be dealt with by parents andpolice without a specific bylaw.

The bylaw also sets out that Halloween is celebrated onOct. 31. Some New Brunswick communities have in the past movedspooky celebrations toOct. 30when Halloween falls on aSunday.