Officials: Keep trick-or-treaters home post-Sandy
Halloween decorations in peril in Huntington Station. (Oct. 30, 2012) Credit: Newsday / Patrick Whittle
Elected officials across Long Island are asking parents to keep their children safe at home Wednesday instead of trick-or-treating for Halloween, citing streets blocked by downed power lines and trees, and numerous non-working streetlights.
Hempstead and Smithtown town officials encouraged people to stay home while the post-Sandy cleanup is under way.
"As far as Halloween goes, there's just no way the roads can be made safe for trick-or-treating," said John Valentine, Smithtown's director of public safety.
But if parents allow children to go out for Halloween, Hempstead Town spokesman Mike Deery said, "no youngsters should go out unattended. . . . There are hazards out there."
Glen Cove Mayor Ralph Suozzi said the city has imposed a 6 p.m. "safety curfew" for Wednesday, saying debris is easier to spot and avoid during daytime hours.
"After anything as unusual as this [storm], you want to get back to normal as soon as possible, so we ask that people trick-or-treat with safety in mind," Suozzi said.
Hempstead Village Mayor Wayne J. Hall Sr. also encouraged trick-or-treating during daylight hours, while canceling the village's Halloween party at Kennedy Park.
Mayor Bill Biondi of heavily flooded Mastic Beach suggested trick-or-treaters stay north of Neighborhood Road and not venture beyond their immediate communities.
"We still have a lot of trees down, and a lot of wires down," he said. "If it's clear in your area, stick to your area."
Other village mayors, including those in Valley Stream, Lynbrook and Massapequa Park, reiterated calls for children to stay indoors for Halloween.
"Halloween or not, my advice is to stay home unless it is an absolute emergency," said Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare, who canceled the village's haunted hayride scheduled for Wednesday evening.
"You hate to spoil the kids' fun, but it is a lot better than having them walk between downed power lines and blocked streets."
Massapequa Park Mayor James Altadonna Jr. said, "If you want to get a few families together for a Halloween gathering, that is one thing, but it is unwise to be outside trick-or-treating."