Politics & Government

Bville Postpones Trick or Treating Til Friday

Police chief cites downed trees and wires and power outages among reasons for decision.

The borough of Bernardsville has officially rescheduled trick or treating activities for Friday, as part of its local declaration of an emergency following Saturday's early-season snowstorm.

"All public Halloween trick-or-treating activities on public roads and sidewalks are prohibited on Oct. 31, 2011," according to an announcement on Monday from borough police and the borough Office of Emergency Management. "Halloween trick-or-treating in the Borough of Bernardsville will take place on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011," the announcement said.

Bernardsville Police Chief Kevin Valentine said the changed date does not affect private Halloween parties or gatherings within the borough, but is in effect on public roadways and walkways still hazardous following the storm.

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The borough's local disaster/emergency declaration remains in effect until midnight on Monday throughout the borough, the announcement said.

"A significant area of the borough is still without electricity," the announcement said. "Many roadways, sidewalks and public areas have conditions that may compromise safety for pedestrians and vehicle traffic."

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Valentine said downed trees, dark streets that are only partially or totally impassalbe and downed wires create especially hazardous conditions.

Although the weekend's emergency declaration allows the borough to officially require that trick or treating be suspended on Monday night, the announcement asked residents for cooperation and continued patience during the local emergency, thanking them in advance for complying.

"We are not arresting trick or treaters," Valentine assured.

More information regarding this emergency declaration is available online at the borough police department's website.

In Bernards Township, or at least to use caution if trick or treating on Monday during daylight hours.


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