Halloween Safety Committee

Halloween Safety Committee

TO PROTECT AND ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL PLAINFIELD RESIDENTS ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT

The Issue

Due to the inappropriate actions of a few, aggressive teens, many residents people feel unsafe, and are concerned about continuing to celebrate Halloween’s Trick-or-Treat tradition. They are concerned especially about their own safety. Should they just shut the door and go out for the evening? Should they still hand out candy, even to older teens? What plan does the city have to make Halloween safer? What will be different in 2007 over 2006? What if I have questions, whom do I call?

The Committee

Rashid Burney David Boyd Brenda Anderson Julie Jerome Shari Effman Ellie Campolie Joel Sherman Plus many, many more in spirit but unable to be on the steering committee

The Objective

• Continued safe Trick or treating for the kids • Heightened Police awareness (program/training?) • Get more adults involved from the neighborhoods • Deterrence D t iis th the best b t tool t l in i thi this case

What Other Communities in NJ Have Done Sampling of municipalites with Halloween‐related restrictions and curfews for minors Municipality

Age  g In Effect  Restriction Date(s) effective from To

Date  Enacted

Comments

18 October 30 & 31 9:00pm 6:00am 3/1/2000 Fines apply Fines apply 18 7:30pm 6:00am 16 October 30 7:00pm 6:00am 8/20/2001 It shall be unlawful for juveniles sixteen years of age and under to "trick-or-treat" after 7:00 p.m. on Carteret October 31, Halloween, of each year Mountain Lakes 18 October 30 and 31 10:00pm 6:00am 9/23/2002 Fines apply Oaklyn NJ Oaklyn, 18 October 30 & 31 9:00pm 6:00am 9/8/1998 Fines apply Old Tappan, NJ 16 October 30 & 31 8:00pm 5/26/1975 Fines apply Palmyra, NJ 17 October 30 & 31 9:00pm 5:00am 11/13/2000 Fines apply Clifton, NJ 18 October 31 8:00pm 6:00am 10/27/1999 Fines apply Delran 18 October 30 & 31 9:00pm 5:00am 11/1/2001 Fines apply Eastampton, NJ 18 October 23-Nov 7 8:00pm 6:00am 10/28/1980 Fines apply Franklin 18 October 31 7:00pm 6:00am 11/25/1996 Fines apply Freehold 18 October 31 8:00pm 6:00am 10/26/1970 Fines apply Haddon, NJ 18 October 30 & 31 10:00pm 6:00am 5/19/1998 Fines apply Hanover, NJ 18 October 30 & 31 9:00pm 6:00am 10/8/1992 Fines apply Hazlet, NJ 18 October 29-31 (Nov 1) 8:00pm 6:00am 3/2/1993 Fines apply Hillsborough, NJ 18 October 28-Nov 1 10:00pm 6:00am 10/21/1980 Fines apply Fines apply Little Egg Harbor, NJ 18 October 25 - October 3110:00pm 5:00am Maple Shade 18 October 31 9:00pm 6:00am 10/5/2005 Fines apply Brooklawn Perth Amboy Carteret

Monroe, NJ Monroe, NJ Moorestown Old Bridge, NJ Pennsauken, NJ Readington, NJ River Vale, NJ Vernon, NJ Wall NJ Wall,

Unlawful to solicit gifts after 9:00pm on October 31 18 October 31 8:00pm 18 October 30 & 31 8:30pm 18 October 30 & 31 10:00pm 16 October 31 9:30pm 18 Oct 30 - Nov 1 9:30pm 18 Oct 30 - Nov 1 8:00pm 18 Oct 30 - Nov 1 9:00pm 18

Oct 30 - Nov 1

9:00pm

10:00pm 6:00am 6:00am 6:00am 6:00am 6:00am 6:00am

Washington TownshipTrick or treating shall only be between 2:00pm and 9:00pm 18 Oct 30 - Nov 1 10:00pm 6:00am Washington Township

12/5/1994 1/29/1997 3/28/2005 12/30/2002 10/19/1998 1/22/2004 9/27/1999

Fines apply pp y Fines apply Fines apply Fines apply Fines apply Fines apply Fines apply

Fine of up to $1,000 of up to $1 000 11/8/1978 Fine Fine of up to $1,000  & 90 days of  community service 7/19/1993 Fines apply

Activities to seek public input Whatt Has Wh H The Th Committee C itt Done D to t G Gather th C Community it IInput? t? • Spoken to numerous neighbors – Nov 2006 - present • Public forum in Library – May 2007 • Distributed info and p plans thru S.A.A.L.T. • Presented at various neighborhood block association meetings

Recommendations

These are the recommendations of the Halloween Safety Committee for review by the Administration and Council • Larger, visible Police presence on 10/31 – from 6:00pm – 8:00pm • Be a deterrence • Be able to respond quickly to any reports

• Curfew for minors – from 7:30pm – 6:00am • Neighborhood block patrol – Groups of adults walk/patrol streets – just to act as a d deterrence • Central phone number to call in case of emergency • Alternative activities for teens – WMCA has agreed to coordinate a citywide teen activityy afternoon – under review.

Next Steps • Agree upon solution • Develop action plan for Halloween Night • Inform public – Public Awareness campaign - Neighborhood associations - Media – SL & CN - High school - High school PTOs - SALT - Blogs Bl - Other communication vehicles • Review after event - What worked? - What did not? - What can we do better next year? • Develop 2008 plan

Plan Framework Identify issue

ID & form team

Review outcome(s)

Research issue

Identify Solution(s)

Execute plan

Public awareness

Select and implement plan

Comments?

Your comments,, input p and criticism are welcome and valued.

THANK-YOU!