WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2007

Trick- or-Treating Is Not For Everyone

For Some Kids, The Frights Of Halloween Night Are A Little Too Real To Risk

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(AP)  Two-thirds of parents say their children will trick-or-treat this Halloween, but fewer minorities will let their kids go door to door, with some citing safety worries, a poll shows.

The survey found that 73 percent of whites versus 56 percent of minorities said their children will trick-or-treat.

That disparity in the survey is similar to the difference in how people view the safety of their neighborhoods, according to the poll by The Associated Press and Ipsos. Lower-income people and minorities are more likely to worry that it might not be safe to send their children out on Halloween night.

Overall, 86 percent of those questioned in the survey said their neighborhoods are safe for trick-or-treating. Ninety-one percent of whites, compared with 75 percent of minorities, said they felt their kids would be secure when they went out seeking candy in their area.

Similarly, 93 percent of people earning $50,000 or more said their communities are safe for trick-or-treating, compared with 76 percent of those making less than $25,000.

Even many people who view their neighborhoods as safe take precautions.

Nearly two-thirds of the people in the survey said their households will distribute Halloween treats to children who come to call. Seventy percent of people in the poll who consider themselves liberals and 67 percent of the moderates questioned said they would hand out treats, compared with 55 percent of conservatives.

Of those adults whose children will not trick-or-treat this year, one-quarter cited safety worries and about one-half said they do not celebrate Halloween.

"It's demonic," said Donna Stitt, 37, a nursing aide from Barto, Pa., with four young children. "People are celebrating the dead. I'm not into that."

© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Add a Comment See all 43 Comments
by Krazcarl October 28, 2007 8:30 AM PDT
It''s trick or treat not politics it was a blast when I was a kid and am sure it still is let the children have some fun without making a political issue out of it if you don''t want to give candy don''t answer the door it happens I just went to the next house {though once I did take the pumpkin}.
Reply to this comment
by paganwitch October 28, 2007 8:41 AM PDT
Even my Christian Mom-in-law got a good laugh over the comment made by Donna Stitt. Celebrating the dead is demonic. I''m wondering if she visits the graves of her relatives and places flowers there or does she consider THAT demonic as well. The ignorance (especially when willful)of people sometimes surpises me.
Reply to this comment
by mythoughtsr October 28, 2007 9:08 AM PDT
paganwitch, as a Catholic I applaud your post. People are SO ignorant. I have Wiccan friends, Muslim friends, Christian friends and we all know that Halloween is NOT a religious holiday and it truly is for the kids. The people who try to turn it into a satanic thing are just show offs and ignorant people. It''s so much fun to open up the door to a little girl or boy dressed as a puppy or princess. That''s what it''s all about. crzmeat lol, (not at stealing a pumpkin) but you are right. Halloween is a lot of fun.
Reply to this comment
by brianbwb-2009 October 28, 2007 9:39 AM PDT
Ironic that a celebration of bountiful harvest was co-opted into a sugar fest, just like the celebration of the birth of Isa Bin Yusuf was co-opted from the winter solstice celebration, then turned into the ultimate shopping season, the celebration of the resurrection, from the end of winter celebration, then to a boiled egg hunt.

I sometimes wonder why Americans cannot keep a holiday, but then the answer is depressing, so I don''t dwell on what I cannot change.
Reply to this comment
by cs4466 October 28, 2007 10:08 AM PDT
People like Donna Stitt are the really scary ones, turning a fun holiday into something that it isn''t, and never was.
Reply to this comment
by stewarj5 October 28, 2007 10:12 AM PDT
Lol, what is wrong with people? Halloween is a fun time for anyone. It''s not demonic, it''s fun.
If the parnets do their job and walk with the children to each door, then the kids will be safe.
Heck, I love dressing up and going with my kids. Life is to stressful, take the stick out of your butt Donna Stitt and have some fun!!!!!
Reply to this comment
by myidoncbs October 28, 2007 11:17 AM PDT
"Seventy percent of people in the poll who consider themselves liberals and 67 percent of the moderates questioned said they would hand out treats, compared with 55 percent of conservatives."

There you have it! "Conservatives" are not only greedy, they''re stingy, too! This explains a lot!
Reply to this comment
by myidoncbs October 28, 2007 11:29 AM PDT
One more thing regarding the generous 70% vs. the stingy 55%: As the "Decider" has demonstrated by vetoing their healthcare, conservatives HATE children.
Reply to this comment
by alura_02 October 28, 2007 12:18 PM PDT
Big surprise ... people don''t let their children trick or treat in drug and crime ridden areas. Wonder how much they paid to find that one out.
Reply to this comment
by sabbath7day October 28, 2007 12:24 PM PDT
Satan truly has DECEIVED this world with HIS holidays. Research of the origins of Halloween, Easter, Christmas, New Year''s, etc. are all PAGAN. SIN is NOT FUN! But, then, that''s what the god of this world wants us to believe.
Reply to this comment
by knyghtwolf October 28, 2007 12:26 PM PDT
The some of the kids here chose to go as the shrubmonkey (bush) or as D*I*C*K cheney as they see them as "real monsters" in today''s society. Funny how kids can pick up on things. As far as Halloween being "demonic" can Christmas really be considered christian? It should be called Commerce Holidays because the Christmas Holidays are about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING but god and human fellowships. SPEND SPEND SPEND you good christians, get out there and show your true spirit with Visa, MasterCard, Chase, or whatever you can afford to go into debt for.
Reply to this comment
by keithle1 October 28, 2007 12:49 PM PDT
Wasn''t there an episode of that 70''s series "The Mod Squad" where someone was putting razor blades in apples on Halloween?
Reply to this comment
by alura_02 October 28, 2007 12:59 PM PDT
knyghtwolf: Way to get off topic!
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by michellem99-2009 October 28, 2007 1:01 PM PDT
I love yer words,crzmeat..As a foster child I went to the places of the safe list..ye know houes we could walk to and kwew..Never did a punpkin.It was fun..As blind child an adult took me.to trick or treat..It has its roots in Ireland..I can understand that parents are not wanting to take their children today as there are nut..There was nuts when we were children..They would string toilet paper in the trees when I was a girl..That was funny..haha...It stood out..crzcmeat...We don''t give candy or celerete it..We choose not to...IT IS A FUN DAY..We went a place in Condord and they had a party..It was fun..I waw 29..I went as blind street pan handler..Money f/t blind..Now that was ablast..I won 2 dollars..I had fun..It is a day to dress up in outfits for that day..Sure it is fun..If yer wish just switch yer lights off or post on the door NO CANDY HERE..Have fun night..Trick or treat..Don''t ban it as it is part of growing up..Know who yer visiting...
Reply to this comment
by grammawhamma October 28, 2007 1:14 PM PDT
Why didn''t the ghost have any children?

Because he had a holloweenie.

Happy Halloween everyone.

Reply to this comment
by grammawhamma October 28, 2007 1:20 PM PDT
"It''s demonic," said Donna Stitt, 37, a nursing aide from Barto, Pa., with four young children. "People are celebrating the dead. I''m not into that."


I wonder if she celebrates Memorial day.
Reply to this comment
by michellem99-2009 October 28, 2007 1:37 PM PDT
Gramma Dear,hAHA..Hope ye take yer grandchildren out to enjoy halloween...Nov 1 is all saints day Nov 2 is all souls day..Cathlic holy days...

Have a fun and safe Halloween...
Reply to this comment
by toolmangler-2009 October 28, 2007 1:54 PM PDT
Posted by GrammaWhamma at 01:14 PM : Oct 28, 2007


I wouldn''t touch that with a ten foot pole, (hollow or not)
Reply to this comment
by rohink-2009 October 28, 2007 2:52 PM PDT
CBS is so transparent. I guess I''m one of the 55% that is neither greedy or stingy. And of the 25% of Liberals that aren''t giving out candy, they must be Conservatives in disquise. What a freakin joke this article is.
Reply to this comment
by keithle1 October 28, 2007 3:06 PM PDT
A male & female parent should take group of kids out.
Reply to this comment
by scoliosuxs October 28, 2007 4:23 PM PDT
Why do parents have to turn everything fun for kids into something "demonic". Dressing up and going door to door for trick or treat is good clean fun. Church fairs are also fun. Don''t be such a party pooper and try to enjoy your life. It is only demonic if you want it to be. Even if someone wants it to be a pagan holiday it doesn''t have to be for you.
Reply to this comment
by susanhelit October 28, 2007 4:34 PM PDT
Halloween is just plain fun, sad that there are some neighborhoods where children can''t go out, at least one day a year, and just be kids.

Those who want to make it more than it is - I think that''s so sad, so against a bit of fun that any excuse must be found to turn Halloween into something it isn''t. Oh - and anyone who is going with the razor blades and poisoned candy - that''s been shown to have never actually happened in reality - it''s always been a publicity seeking parent who did it to get their name in the news.
Reply to this comment
by Krazcarl October 28, 2007 4:41 PM PDT
You know what I hated as kid {grew up in the country} was cheap people that gave a apple like you didn''t have a couple of bushels at the house my favorite was a family they made fresh chocolate sugared doughnuts. For 3 years I trick or treated for UNICEF{?} and it was fun got more candy than before. This day was one of the few from my childhood with happy memories don''t mess with it. Who cares the roots we turned it around so it''s a fun day for everyone. I know grown folks with no children that look forward to it and wish I knew their house when I was a kid. Where I come from a family ran out of candy and they threw in change 56 cents it''s hard to believe but to me that was a big deal 40 yers later I still look on those folks kindly that my friends is what it is about not demonic praise.
Reply to this comment
by tnt1954 October 28, 2007 4:42 PM PDT
god bless the dead, they too were alive at one time.
is their a soul? will there be a general resurrection
at the last day? when the dead in christ will
rise first, then joined by the entire company
for an encore after the finale? what will we do
after we are resurrected in our spiritual bodies?
will some be separated to a land of eternal hell-fire?
like the rich man dives was? parable of lazarus
and the rich man dives. lazarus was a poor beggar
who lived off the crumbs of the rich man''s table.
if were a smart trick or treater i''d do my
rounds in a rich neighborhood. through bussing.
what will britney spears give at halloween this
year? in some neighborhoods, adults will cower
in fear, from juvenile delinquents, and the
possiblity of getting framed for everything
from murder to molestation by s.o.b. kids.
some kids are smarter than a whip. and tuffer
than rawhide.
Reply to this comment
by knyghtwolf October 28, 2007 5:20 PM PDT
Hey alura_02, went to Wally World to get more candy because we have a bigger group of kids this year than last and they were getting out the christmas displays and the thanksgiving stuff too but they were playing christmas music!!!! Guess there are no thanksgiving holiday tunes, eh?
Reply to this comment
by tnt1954 October 28, 2007 5:20 PM PDT
according to the acts of toleration in england,
halloween is a time of frolicking in whatever
shape or form the said individual desires.
some find it a time to spray grafitti in strategic
places, to leave their ''marks'' on society. to
exhibit wares of all kinds even with a red lantern
outside their apartment. or house. just to show off.
and to give people who do grafitti removal good
business and repeat sales. sometimes people even
paint the nude pink lady on the malibu tunnel, in
enthusiastic ecstasy. adults over the age of 55
do kinda wonder if the great great grandkids are
allright. even if they were never allowed to
have custody from day one. and they look back
in poignancy and just through mope they cope for hope.
visit a senile person in a rest home that day.
britney''s album will out be in time for great great
grandma''s to listen to on halloween. two more
days to wait. suspense. will sue lyons and i live till then.
Reply to this comment
by usaprophet October 28, 2007 6:12 PM PDT
I want to report a major fire, my friends. Our Constitution is on fire. And it''s currently being burned in Congress. See H.R. 1955, a.k.a., Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007. I couldn''t believe it. Apparently, activists with Web sites are really begining to anger the elite insofar as they are publically holding them accountable for their evil. Here''s a part of the bill, which passed the house on Oct 23, in spite of Congressman, Ron Paul''s opposition thereto. The right to free speech on the Internet is gone, my friends. Look it up for yourself, and weep for your country that our rights have eroded this far. Here''s a short excerpt from the bill''s DEFINITIONS statement: "The development and implementation of methods and processes that can be utilized to prevent violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence in the United States is critical to combating domestic terrorism." Here''s another excerpt from the bill''s FINDINGS statement: "The Internet has aided in facilitating violent radicalization, ideologically based violence, and the homegrown terrorism process in the United States by providing access to broad and constant streams of terrorist-related propaganda to United States citizens." And guess who get''s to decide what is "terrorist-related propaganda?" You got it! The Department of Homeland Insecurity, an agency that''s answerable ONLY to The President. If Ron Paul isn''t elected, our country is doomed!
Reply to this comment
by Krazcarl October 28, 2007 6:16 PM PDT
M99 yes the mormons are just a pimple on the *ss of progress a few looking for power and found it they will answer unfortunately not in this life, Did I mention I found some gold tablets in Maine they said I was to be rich and famous and tell others how to live all on the promise of plural marriages and if no one takes the offer we''ll appoint ladies as the token of gods trust in me. I was told to go to dead area of the country that no one wants to go and further my beliefs and if they happen by hire the indians to massacre them, Anyone that believes this needs counseling just because you grew up in it does not make it right ask the suicide bombers it''s beyond stupid and to be honest has it''s roots in perversion.
Reply to this comment
by iceman_1960 October 28, 2007 6:37 PM PDT
Ever try Trick-or-Treating on Christmas Eve ?

That really shakes people up.
Reply to this comment
by iceman_1960 October 28, 2007 6:41 PM PDT
"It''s demonic," said Donna Stitt."

Not if the kids are Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF.

Then it"s angelic.




"Course, it"s not half as much fun.
Reply to this comment
by iceman_1960 October 28, 2007 6:43 PM PDT
I"m going to egg Donna Stitt"s car on Halloween night.





[just kidding]
Reply to this comment
by iceman_1960 October 28, 2007 6:47 PM PDT
"Seventy percent of people in the poll who consider themselves liberals and 67 percent of the moderates questioned said they would hand out treats, compared with 55 percent of conservatives."

That figures.

At Hillary Clinton"s house they"ll be giving each trick-or-treater a $5,000 check and free health insurance.
Reply to this comment
by iceman_1960 October 28, 2007 6:53 PM PDT
"Big surprise ... people don"t let their children trick or treat in drug and crime ridden areas. Wonder how much they paid to find that one out."
- Posted by alura_02 at 12:18 PM : Oct 28, 2007

The medical field is also rife with studies like that.

e.g. "Larger portions at meals associated with weight gain, study finds."

Ya think...?

Reply to this comment
by michellem99-2009 October 28, 2007 8:32 PM PDT
a foster mother was mormon and she was evil..i left the mormons and got a friend out..they crazy fools. golden what never seen them..I know them and we love giving them the gears..
Did ye know they say the gospel of Jesus is lost..Whwere yer hide it..I say it was never lost..They are ripped..My friend said to them where are you going to serve Jesus..They are gone..They may have a halloween party ..Bishop trick or treat..We gone..
Reply to this comment
by scully152 October 28, 2007 10:05 PM PDT
I want to report a major fire, my friends. Our Constitution is on fire. & it''s currently being burned in Congress. See H.R. 1955, a.k.a, Violent Radicalization & Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007.... Apparently, activists w/ Web sites are really begining to anger the elite insofar as they are publically holding them accountable for their evil. Here''s a part of the bill,... in spite of Congressman, Ron Paul''s opposition thereto. The right to free speech on the Internet is gone,... Look it up for yourself, & weep for your country that our rights have eroded this far. Here''s a short excerpt from the bill''s DEFINITIONS statement: "The development & implementation of methods & processes that can be utilized to prevent violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, & ideologically based violence in the US is critical to combating domestic terrorism." ..."The Internet has aided in facilitating violent radicalization, ideologically based violence, & the homegrown terrorism process in the United States by providing access to broad & constant streams of terrorist-related propaganda to United States citizens." And guess who get''s to decide what is "terrorist-related propaganda?" You got it! The Department of Homeland Insecurity, an agency that''s answerable ONLY to The President. If Ron Paul isn''t elected, our country is doomed! Posted by thefarrier
~~~~~~~ WHAT exactly does what you just said have to do with Trick or Treating?
Reply to this comment
by michellem99-2009 October 28, 2007 11:03 PM PDT
scully152.READ THE STORY TRICK OR TREAT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE...yer pashing a TX asre. TRY THE POLITICS SITE.. It is there..
Reply to this comment
by rohink-2009 October 28, 2007 11:51 PM PDT
Makes perfect sense to me. Liberals are always looking for a handout.
Reply to this comment
by grammawhamma October 29, 2007 12:28 AM PDT
scully152: It''s just more Ron Paul spam...the spammers just changed their format a little bit. They posted the same post on a lot of different articles. Just report them as abusing the site and cbs will get rid of them until they sign up with a different email address and posting name. They always come back but it makes it a little bit harder for them that way. I''m sick of it also.
Reply to this comment
by grammawhamma October 29, 2007 12:34 AM PDT
When I was a little kid my friends and I were bored one summer day and decided to dig out our old halloween costumes and try trick or treating in June. It worked...people thought it was cute and all gave us something.
Reply to this comment
by revwilliam October 29, 2007 12:49 AM PDT
Still believe in demons, Donna?
Welcome to the 21st century.
Is our children learning?
Reply to this comment
by Krazcarl October 29, 2007 4:28 AM PDT
granma..that''s rich great idea never thought of that.
Reply to this comment
by gunownerdan October 29, 2007 7:53 AM PDT
"Today we need a nation of minute men; citizens who are not only prepared to take up arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as a basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom.
The cause of liberty, the cause of American, cannot succeed with any lesser effort."
- President John F. Kennedy, January 29, 1961
Reply to this comment
by Krazcarl October 29, 2007 8:01 AM PDT
gunownerdan..excellent point but was has this to do with trick or treat..I have a question what was you as a kid I''d like to know?
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