Local residents and police weigh in on petition to change date of Halloween
Some across the country are asking the White House to change the date of Halloween.
An online petition pushing to move the holiday from October 31 to the last Saturday of the month has garnered over 40,000 signatures already.
According to the Halloween and Costume Association, the organization behind the petition, 70 percent of parents do not accompany their children trick-or-treating and 3,800 people are injured every year in Halloween-related incidents. The organization argues that changing the holiday to a Saturday would make it safer.
Some valley residents said they support the idea.
“If it will save children’s lives and make it a more happy occasion,” said local resident Paulette Horner. “The parents are late getting home from work, they’re rushed they’re tired — kids are racing around without proper supervision.”
But others are not so sure.
“There’s more drunk drivers on any given weekend as is so,” said local resident Jennifer Ogilvie. “Even if you do have to leave work a little early then if you have children then make time for that. You know its not an everyday occurrence.”
“I can see where the convenience for working parents… and that works for them but I’m kind of old school and happy to keep it the way it is,” said Diane Boger, another local resident.
Local police officers told KESQ & CBS Local 2 there could be safety benefits to making the change.
“Parents could definitely be off work and spend more time with their children,” said Commander Paul Herrera of the Cathedral City Police Department.
“I do think that by having it on a sat the official trick or treating,” said Desert Hot Springs Police Chief Dale Mondary. “Probably would most likely be a lot safer.”
Herrera said there are also other factors to consider.
“Maybe it would make that whole weekend a big long party so to speak weekend,” Herrera said.
Halloween started as a pagan tradition more than a thousand years ago. Many who are opposed to the change argue that the date is rooted in deep historical tradition and because of that shouldn’t be changed.
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