Oct 6, 2017 3 min read

It’s an understatement to say that we are shocked and appalled at Mount Pleasant officials’ decision to suggest which children are more worthy of receiving Halloween treats in the borough neighborhoods.

This week during the council meeting, officials announced that this year, special trick-or-treat bags for children can be obtained, with the proper identification for proof of residency, for use only by families who live in the borough. This decision came, officials said, after residents in the borough complained that they were spending too much on candy because children from outside the borough were participating in the scheduled trick-or-treat night.

By distributing the bags, officials said, borough residents handing out treats for the children could then decide whether or not they would give candy to those children who did not have the official, approved bag or turn them away.

Turn them away!

We can’t help but wonder how anyone could look at one child on the porch and drop a treat into the bag, and look at another and deny them because they didn’t live in the right neighborhood. What message is that sending to our youth?

It is nothing short of shameful.

Trick-or-treating out of one’s neighborhood is not something new, and yes, we will admit that some families may indulge a little more than others. But there are some legitimate reasons parents may decide to visit another area on trick-or-treat night — perhaps work schedules get in the way. Or school activities. Or children from larger families who live in different areas select one area so they can enjoy the night together. But this year in the borough of Mount Pleasant, unless all the children in the group score a bag, they might not have the privilege.

At the meeting, officials cited no other reason for controlling who trick or treats in the borough. No safety issues were ever discussed. They mentioned nothing about accidents or incidents in the past. It was purely a decision, they said, of pacifying complaints.

Surely there are other ways of handling the matter. What about offering suggestions like Councilman Jack Caruso did at the meeting? He said if residents run out of candy, they can turn out their porch lights, so children know not to stop there. That seems reasonable, doesn’t it? Or how about suggesting that residents buy cheaper candy to accommodate every child who knocks at the door? Or, if the issue is just too much to handle, not participating at all?

Or, is it a possibility that council members could take the money they plan to spend on the official Mount-Pleasant-Borough-Trick-or-Treat Sack and instead purchase additional candy to help out residents, and remain a welcoming community to children all around the area?

Mount Pleasant Borough Mayor Gerald Lucia said at the meeting that he is hoping the bags will curb the issue. He went on to state that “if everyone just stays in their own municipalities, I think it would work out better.” Would organizers of the annual Mount Pleasant Glass and Ethnic Festival ever dream of limiting guests to the event to those who live in the borough? We think not. They are all too happy to ensure they pull in people from all over the area.

Halloween is a time for fun, treats and, yes, even some tomfoolery. But some tricks are a little over the top. Halloween in Mount Pleasant Borough this year will be one of disguise, and we don’t mind saying, disgust as well.