Mall One of Several Options for Trick or Treating

It’s Halloween, and children are ready to head out in their costumes, collect candy from their neighbors and trek outside in the evening through—the snow.

With Saturday’s unusual October snowstorm bringing trees and wires down all over town, several residents have said they are leery about bringing their kids outside.

While resident Margaret Weiss said she is preferring to have a party at home with her children, some residents said they believe the safest bet will be to head to for the annual trick-or-treating event.

“Anything else would be unsafe for the kids,” said resident Linda Halma Evans. “It’s too unsafe with downed trees.”

The mall is inviting children to come dressed in costume and go trick-or-treating at many of the stores. Those interested in participating can head to guest services for a list of participating stores.

The trick-or-treating event will run from 3 p.m. until the candy runs out.

And although she will be taking her kids to the mall, resident Stacey Friedlander said she would love to see the township put together something called Trunk or Treat, for a more organized and safe event.

“The recreation department could organize it, and designate different lots for people to go to,” she said. “People decorate their cars and trunks, and offer candy and treats to all the kids as they walk from car to car.”

Friedlander said she has heard of other townships doing this.

The planned Step Out walk for diabetes, through the American Diabetes Association was going to be held with its own Trunk or Treating at the event at Saturday, but was postponed because of the snowstorm.

The walk has been postponed until 3 p.m. Sunday, and will still include special Halloween activities, including a Trunk or Treating event.

“It’s a safe, confined area, and as long as the lots are plowed and salted, it’s a great alternative,” Friedlander said.

In addition, Friedlander said, she has heard that other towns are postponing their trick or treating traditions until Friday to account for the snowstorm and dangers all over the roads.

“There are just so many branches and wires still hanging around,” she said. “Even today on my drive around, I’ve witnessed branches literally hanging from wires, ready to go at any moment. Kids could get hurt.”

Bridgewater Township Police Sgt. Luke Daley said the township does not have a curfew for trick-or-treating, and has not heard of requests to postpone it to a later date. Instead, he said, residents just need to be careful, and concentrate on safety.

"There is nothing going on outside right now, and we don't see a problem with going out," he said.

The department, Daley said, just recommends normal caution for trick-or-treating, like going in groups and wearing well-lit clothing to be seen at night.

"Go into neighborhoods you're familiar with, and don't send kids by themselves," he said. "You should use flashlights at night."

And of course, Daley said, make sure to bring home candy to have it inspected before eating any of it.

"Just have common sense," he said. "Have a good time, but be smart, and go to houses you know and well-lit areas."

Daley said he encourages families to go to the mall for trick-or-treating.

"You can go to the anchor stores that are participating," he said. "But safety is the utmost, and have a good time."