Trick-Or-Treat Has Age Limit In These NJ Towns: New Survey Weighs In

NEW JERSEY — On Halloween, there are plenty of young children walking around New Jersey neighborhoods in search of delicious candy and other treats.

Some teenagers might want to get in on the fun, too — but there are two communities who have historically set an age limit for trick-or-treat.

Upper Deerfield Township, in Cumberland County, has a suggested age limit of 12 years old. Township officials previously told Patch that the suggested limit has been in existence for more than 30 years, but there is no law on the books about it — and thus no penalty for any teenaged trick-or-treaters.

But in Pennsauken, which is in Camden County, there is a "Halloween Restrictions" ordinance that sets an age limit of 14 for trick-or-treat — and police can write up any minors who violate the law.

Children over 14 are allowed to chaperone younger kids, but they are not permitted to approach private homes and ask for candy or other treats, under the ordinance.

What's more, anyone under the age of 16 must be with a legal adult if they are driving or wandering around town after 8 p.m. from Oct. 29-31.

Specifically, the township ordinance states that it is unlawful "for any minor under the age of 16 years regardless of his place of residence to ride, loiter, run through, wander, stroll, through or remain on or about any of the streets, highways, roads, roadways, alleys, parks or other areas or in any quasi-public place or in any other place open to the public in Pennsauken Township" at those designated times — again, unless they are accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult over the age of 18.

If a minor violates the ordinance more than once, their parent or guardian could be penalized with a fine of up to $200, and have to complete community service along with the child.

Several other towns in the U.S. have set age limits for trick-or-treat, as well. One of these is Chesapeake, Virginia, where anyone over 14 years old faces a misdemeanor charge. Five years ago, the city raised their age limit from 12 to 14 — the law used to threaten jail time for anyone who violates the city ordinance.

And, a recent survey by Morris County-based Fairleigh Dickinson University indicates that many adults believe kids should stop trick-or-treating when they are 13 and a half. Older Americans were more likely to say that children should stop going door-to-door around the age of 11 or 12, while younger Americans were more likely to say that there shouldn't be an age limit for trick-or-treat.

Also, 25 percent of people said children should trick-or-treat for as long as they want — while 3 percent of those surveyed said children shouldn't trick-or-treat at all.

The FDU poll also asked respondents if they plan to give out candy or other treats on Halloween this year, and what they are planning to hand out: Full-size candy or chocolate bars, mini- or fun-size candies, non-food items, or nothing at all.

In this survey of 806 registered voters, 12 percent of people said they're planning to give out full-size candy bars, 46 percent said they will give out mini- or fun-sized treats, and a full 33 percent said they are not planning on buying candy at all.

Also, 12 percent of respondents said that they think there is "often" a risk of children being given poisoned candy, or drugs that look like candy.