BY BRITTANY PALMER - News-Democrat
Once again this year, trick-or-treaters in Belleville had better not hit the streets without brushing up on the city's Halloween solicitation rules.
The ordinance first passed last year by the City Council was modified this year for Halloween, which falls on a Saturday. It requires that:
* Trick-or-treating must be done between 5 and 8:30 p.m.
* No person older than 12 may appear in any public place in the city in a mask or disguise where the identity of the person is concealed.
* It is considered unlawful for any person older than grade eight to make trick-or-treat visitations, with the exception of special needs students, parents, guardians or other responsible persons.
Mayor Mark Eckert said the age limit was discussed thoroughly and it was decided that high school students are too old to participate in trick-or-treating.
He said he knows some people may be upset, but that some elderly community members and mothers with small children expressed that older kids, who can be very intimidating, made them feel insecure.
Restrictions on trick-or-treat times in other cities in the metro-east include:
* O'Fallon -- 6-9 p.m.
* Swansea -- 5-9 p.m.
* Collinsville -- 5-8:30 p.m.
* Granite City -- 6-9 p.m.
* Freeburg -- 6-9 p.m.
* Mascoutah -- 6-8 p.m.
* Troy -- 6-9 p.m.
* Highland -- 5-9 p.m.
* Edwardsville -- noon to 9 p.m. on both Halloween eve and Halloween night.
* Fairview Heights, East St. Louis, Millstadt and Columbia -- no restrictions.
Belleville's Halloween ordinance further restricts convicted child sex offenders from participating in any Halloween events involving a person younger than 17, such as distributing candy. No candy or treats can be distributed from the sex offender's place of residence, and all outside residential lighting must be turned off from 4 to 11 p.m.
Belleville Capt. Don Sax said police patrols will be stepped up on Halloween night this year.
"We always have some additional guys out, keeping an extra check on everything," he said.
Contact reporter Brittany Palmer at bpalmer@bnd.com or 239-2535.
