Richmond - The Editor, My wife and I have lived in Richmond for about 10 years now and we've noticed a sharp decline in the number of kids coming to our house to trick-or-treat.
Richmond - The Editor, My wife and I have lived in Richmond for about 10 years now and we've noticed a sharp decline in the number of kids coming to our house to trick-or-treat. From speaking with other friends in the community, it seems we're not alone.In thinking that it might be a wider trend, I asked my brother in Squamish, and my father in Victoria, but they confirmed Halloween is still very much alive and well in their communities.Every year, we decorate, carve a pumpkin, buy lots of candy and rush home from work looking forward to having the smiling kids come by in their costumes. But every year, the number of knocks continue to decrease (only five times this year).I can't imagine it's due to parents being concerned with big city safety issues, as kids don't go out alone, and the young ones would certainly have their parents with them.I have heard of a trend whereby parents are taking their kids to the malls where stores hand out candy. If that's the case, how sad is that? When I was kid, Halloween was one of my favourite holidays. I used to dress up, deal with the weather, feel a little scared hearing all the fireworks in the distance, and push on. It was always an "experience," and I feel sad that the kids in our community are losing out on that.Jim BennettRichmond
