Trick-or-Treating over the Age of 14 Could Land You in Jail

Here I am, wanting my 15-year-old to be a kid and go out on Halloween with his friends for trick-or-treating. Maybe I should rethink this?

I came across an article on WCVB saying that kids 14 and older could be arrested for trick or treating and I was like, "What?"

According to the City of Chesapeake's codes of ordinances, any person who is over the age of 14 and still trick-or-treating can be fine up to $250. They will be charged with a Class 4 misdemeanor and any person at any age that is trick-or-treating after 8 p.m. can also be charged with this fee. Is this crazy or what?

This may sound cruel, but this law was once much worse. This penalty was loosened from its original law, created in 1970, that anyone over the age of 12 could face jail time. Although it seems harsh, this restraint was placed because in 1968 unruly community members were throwing firecrackers into the Halloween bags of young trick-or-treaters.

This law had gone viral and caused a stir across the internet. Halloween fans from all over the world heard about this ban and did something about it. Many people spoke loudly about it, even Jimmy Kimmel mocked the town's law on his show.

Although this is a very harsh law, it is not enforced like a law should be.

Since the law was passed 49 years ago, the town of Chesapeake has not arrested, fined, or jailed any person trick-or-treating.

Chesapeake spokesperson Heath Covey states, "We want every person in Chesapeake to have a fun and safe Halloween. This ordinance will not prevent them from doing that."

This law may be in effect, but the City of Chesapeake will not allow this law to ruin the Halloween festivities.