Early Halloween Curfews Draw Mixed Reaction In Suburban Communities
RIVER VALE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Many suburban communities have issued early curfews for Halloween, in an effort to stop trouble and keep youngsters safe.
The curfew is 8 p.m. in River Vale, N.J. It is not new, but with Superstorm Sandy last year and the snowstorm the year before, it has not needed much enforcement.
Early Halloween Curfews Draw Mixed Reaction In Suburban Communities
But Matthew, 13, does not like it at all. He knows what happens to youth who stay out past 8 p.m. – as a buddy of his learned the hard way.
"He wasn't in any trouble, except the cops ended up bringing him home, and they're like, 'Do you know how late your son was out?'" Matthew said. "It was very embarrassing for him."
River Vale police Detective Sgt. John DeVoe said the policy really has one main goal. The goal is "to keep the kids safe from harm," he said.
One woman with young children had no complaints about the curfew. She said it is one thing for youngsters to TP and egg houses, which comes off.
But it is another thing, she said, to find one's house spraypainted with profanity, as happened to a neighbor a few years ago.
"It was, like, all over the street," she said. "Not that my kids knew what it was, but I'm glad that there won't be so much mischief this year."
The River Vale curfew is in effect Wednesday and Thursday, as it has been for the past four years. Other communities have issued 9 or 10 p.m. curfews.
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