Halloween Walk Provides Safe Trick-or-Treating

By Joel Frady

The large crowds and heavy traffic associated with the annual tradition of trick-or-treating in West Jefferson led town officials to rethink how the town handles the holiday. The solution, presented by West Jefferson Mayor Dale Hudler, was to close down a handful of West Jefferson streets to provide a safer area for costumed children with candy on their minds.

"Over the years, I've taken my kids trick-or-treating," Hudler said. "I've always been concerned about the intense mix of cars and children in the residential areas, and remain ultra-sensitive to my children's safety." Hudler then took the idea to other town officials, such as West Jefferson Police Chief Brian Grogan - another man concerned with the town's Halloween situation.

"In years past, the area they're going to be blocking off is very congested," Grogan said, noting that he expects 1,000 people in the downtown area on Halloween. "What it used to be was bumper to bumper cars, and you couldn't even get a patrol car through some of the streets because there were cars on both sides of the road and in the road and you couldn't squeeze through. You had so many kids running back and forth, it was really dangerous." He added that he felt like it "was just a matter of time before somebody gets hit or run over."

The event was approved by the West Jefferson Board of Alderman at their September 2008 meeting, and stated that the following intersections would be closed between 5:30 and 9 p.m.: Main Street and Church Avenue at the north side of Church; First Street and College Avenue at the west side of First; College Avenue and Second Street at north side of College and the west side of Second; Third Street and Wilton Avenue at the west side of Third and the north side of Wilton; and East 4th Street and Jefferson Avenue. There will also be a half block at the intersection of Ridge Avenue and North Jefferson Avenue.

The blockades will be worked by volunteers, which Hudler said was an "important part" because "the more we can encourage people to walk, the safer it will be for the kids."

He noted that the general goal is "for everybody to walk and have a good time and, hopefully, to have even more folks come into the downtown area. We think the encouraging of walking will give parents the feeling of safety so more kids can get out and have fun that night."

There will be more activities downtown than simple trick-or-treating, as well.

The Farmer's Market will be open that night, and the West Jefferson Police Department will have three fire trucks on display for the children to enjoy.

Grogan said that he has scheduled every officer available to work that night, although not all of them will be working the Halloween Walk.

"There are going to be some on regular patrol," he said, "but there are also going to be some concentrated in that residential area. They're going to be on foot, on bicycle and probably on some type of golf cart."

Eager Trick-or-Treaters that can't wait until 5:30 p.m. to start collecting are encouraged to arrive in downtown early, as local merchants will start handing out candy around 3:30 p.m.

For more details on the Halloween Walk, contact West Jefferson Town Hall at (336) 246-3551.