Trick-or-treat but hold the tricks? California city ruins pranksters’ plans with ban
To “create a safe family friendly environment” on Halloween, a California city has banned some from possessing a handful of messy products.
The Beverly Hills City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Sept. 19, to ban those under the age of 21 from possessing silly string, shaving cream and hair removal products for a 24-hour period, according to a Sept. 20 news release from the city.
The ordinance would not, however, forbid the sale of such products, according to the release.
The ban will be in effect annually from 6 a.m. on Oct. 31 to 6 a.m. on Nov. 1, according to a city council staff report.
With the introduction of the ordinance at a Sept. 12 city council meeting, council members agreed on its importance.
“As long as I can remember, this has been an issue,” council member Sharona R. Nazarian said.
Vice Mayor Lester Friedman called the ordinance “an excellent and needed idea.”
With a resurgence in Halloween events and attendance over the past two years, there has also been an increase in the misuse of these products leading “to increased vandalism to property, personal injury to those engaged in the use of these products, and threats to the safety of non-participant bystanders,” the staff report says.
The school district will help teach students and parents about the newly adopted ordinance, according to the staff report.
On Halloween, the staff report says there will be signage about the ban in “areas where historic concerns have been raised,” where individuals can “voluntarily surrender any products.”
Those who do not comply with the ordinance may face violations, such as misdemeanors, infractions or civil administrative action, the staff report says.
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