HALLOWEEN Salem trick or treat to be at night

The mayor said reaction to the change has been positive.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Halloween is returning to its past: It will be celebrated on Halloween and in the dark.
For about 15 years, the city has set Halloween on Sunday afternoons out of concern for the safety of children.
But trick or treating in daylight is sort of like Christmas without snow.
After discussion, city officials this year set trick or treat from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31, which happens to be a Sunday.
Daylight-saving time begins that day, noted Mayor Larry DeJane.
When youths take to the streets in search of treats, DeJane said, "It will be pitch dark by then."
The mayor said people had complained about having trick or treat in the afternoon on Sundays instead of on Halloween.
DeJane said of the switch, "Everyone seems happy about it."
Police Chief Michael Weitz recalled that many people -- or their children -- remember that the time to go out and have fun on Halloween was after dark.
But many city youths have never done that.
Now, the chief added, "They can have the experience of trick or treat after dark."
Concerns for safety
The shift to daylight hours began partly out of national concerns about sharp objects such as needles being hidden in candy.
For a time, the Salem Community Hospital offered to X-ray candy that children had collected.
Michele Hoffmeister, the director of public relations for the hospital, said that practice ended more than decade ago "because there was no need for it."
Some communities began to switch to celebrations at one location or having trick or treat during the day.
Weitz said that locally there were older youths who stole candy from young trick or treaters. Weitz said those problems have faded.
Back to tradition
The city is somewhat unique in traditionally having a nice trick-or-treat night, the chief added.
The tradition is -- and remains -- that people who are participating leave a porch light on to signal trick or treaters.
Weitz recalled having run out of candy at his home toward the end of trick or treating, and turning the light out. No one knocked.
"It's nice that we can enjoy Halloween as it was designed," the chief said.
The celebration doesn't cost the city more in manpower. The regular police shift will be out, along with the police auxiliary. Weitz said auxiliary police buy candy and distribute it to children they meet during the evening.
wilkinson@vindy.com