Holiday

NC city repeals ordinance restricting trick-or-treating

The City of Whiteville voted to repeal the part of a toothless law regulating the age-old tradition of trick-or-treating at a meeting Tuesday evening.

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WHITEVILLE, N.C. — The City of Whiteville voted to repeal the part of a toothless law regulating the age-old tradition of trick-or-treating at a meeting Tuesday evening.
The ordinance stated that no one over the age of 12 was allowed to trick-or-treat, and the fun had to end by 8:30 p.m. Anyone older than 12 or trying to snag some late-night candy could be charged with a misdemeanor. If convicted, the penalties include up to 30 days in jail or a $50 fine.

Other cities and towns across the state have had, at some point or another, regulated trick-or-treating.

“The city does not try to regulate other floating holidays, why is the city trying to regulate Halloween?” city staff questioned Tuesday night.

The city acknowledged its current ban on who could trick or treat and when would likely not be upheld in court and was a First Amendment violation.

Instead, the city issued safety guidelines advising parents to supervise their children while trick or treating, and that only those 16 or younger can participate.

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