Farmington Police Say Don't Trick-or-Treat

Farmington police are saying conditions are unsafe for trick-or-treating tonight with live wires, branches and debris littering most neighborhoods. In addition, since 98 percent of residents are without power, there are no street or porch lights on to help guide children to welcoming homes.

"We are encouraging parents not to bring their kids trick-or-treating. There are still wires down and a dangerous tree situation. If they insist on allowing their kids to trick-or-treat, they absolutely should have parental supervision," Farmington Police Lt. Marshall Porter said Monday morning. 

Instead, families are welcome to attend the Tunxis Hose Halloween party, tonight at the fire station.

The department will host its usual festivities with a free pasta supper starting at 6 p.m. and firefighters are baking goodies, too.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Sunday that it is not up to the state to determine whether each individual municipality is safe or not and that what applies for one town may not apply for others.

Danbury was among one of the first towns in the state to make a decision, asking parents to voluntarily forego the traditional house to house walk in exchange for a trick-or-treating adventure inside the Danbury Fair Mall.

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton made the decision and announced it on his Facebook page after several residents heard rumors that the non-government holiday had been canceled.

Other communities have also contemplated the idea of “moving” Halloween this year, instead asking that town’s let the children go through the door to door tradition later in the week or on Saturday when power has been restored to many neighborhoods.

If residents are taking their children out this evening, Malloy said parents should make sure they are walking alongside their children, even if they are older and don’t want them there.

“Under no circumstances should any child, of any age, be allowed to participate in Halloween events without the proper parental supervision,” Malloy said. “There are no guarantees that all neighborhoods will be safe and that all live wires have been addressed. If you are going, be safe.”