Woodbridge Sets 7 P.M. Curfew for Teens on Halloween Weekend

Woodbridge will bar residents under 18 from being outside without an adult from 7 p.m. to sunrise on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31. The township said police will issue a warning on a first violation. A second violation requires a parent or guardian to pick up the minor.

Mayor John McCormac said the ordinance has existed for years. He said the aim is to keep preteens and teenagers from causing trouble. "It is early for a 16- or 17-year-old, but that's the purpose of the law, to keep them out of trouble, to keep anybody from damaging property or damaging vehicles or just being a menace," McCormac said.

Reaction from residents has split. Deisy Echeverria, whose child is 10, said she supports the rule. "I always tag along. I always have to be with him 24/7. He won't go alone," Echeverria said. Bhavan Patel of nearby Edison said the cutoff disappoints children who look forward to the holiday. "It's an exciting time of the year for kids especially, so for them to not be able to go out and doing trick-or-treating, it's kind of disappointing for them," Patel said.

Woodbridge teenager Christian Alfieri asked for a later time for older youths. "Over 13, you should be able to go walk around a little bit at least until maybe around 11 p.m. or 10 p.m.," Alfieri said.

McCormac said police will run township-wide patrols. He said parents and older children carry responsibility for safety. The police department issued guidance that includes staying on streets with exterior lights on, avoiding masks in favor of makeup so vision stays clear, wearing light colors or reflective tape, carrying a flashlight, and having an adult with young children. Older children should travel in groups. The guidance also says children should trick-or-treat in daylight, return home before opening treats, and discard any candy that was already opened.

Trick-or-treating hours and the curfew take effect on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31.