Why Halloween trick or treaters over age 12 could face jail time in one Virginia town
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Even though children aged 12 aren’t old enough to vote, they are apparently too old to go trick or treating in one conservative Virginia town.
Trick or Treaters who go door-to-door on Halloween asking for candy in Chesapeake, can’t be older than 12 or they face a fine or even jail time, WTVR reports.
The city ordinance states:
“If any person over the age of 12 years shall engage in the activity commonly known as “trick or treat” or any other activity of similar character or nature under any name whatsoever, he or she shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $25.00 nor more than $100.00 or by confinement in jail for not more than six months or both.”
The trick or treat code, the city said, is not being actively enforced, but it still stands.
However, a tween or teen who tags along with a younger sibling and go trick or treating could likely get away with asking for some goodies for themselves.
“For example, a thirteen year old safely trick or treating with a younger sibling is not going to have any issues. That same child taking pumpkins from porches and smashing them in the street more likely will,” the city’s website says.
—Parents react to video of Black male babysitter being questioned by police—
Chesapeake joins the rank with a neighboring city Norfolk, which also has the trick-or-treat code already in full effect. In Norfolk, a teen over the age of 12 could rack up a Class 4 misdemeanor if they get caught trick-or-treating.
Hmmmm… we wonder who this ordinance is really meant to deter?
Be safe out there!
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