Mayor Advises Stamford Residents Not To Trick-Or-Treat This Year

STAMFORD, CT — Kids in Stamford will be celebrating Halloween a bit differently this year, as Mayor David Martin announced Thursday residents are advised not to participate in any type of trick-or-treating activities with people outside their household.

Martin said the decision was made with "support and guidance" from the city's public safety office and Director of Health Jennifer Calder as Stamford continues to grapple with the coronavirus.

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"While there are many proposed alternatives to trick-or-treating, such as trunk-or-treating or socially distanced trick-or-treating," Calder said in a statement, "none of these address the inherent risk of spreading the virus through close contact with others or objects they've touched. There is no truly safe way to participate in trick-or-treating."

The announcement comes in a year filled with traditional activities being altered or canceled out of concern for safety due to the virus.

Stamford resident Erin Dummeyer said she looks forward to handing out candy to the kids who trick-or-treat in her Springdale neighborhood each year.

Having lived in the area for over five years, she said her street is very Halloween-friendly.

"We had a little one come up to our front door, and the grown up with her told me it was the very first house she had ever trick-or-treated at in her life," Dummeyer said. "That's pretty much why I purchased a house, for moments like that."

Dummeyer said she understands the city's decision regarding trick-or-treating, and she and her husband will likely fill goody bags this year and put them socially distanced out on her front lawn in case anyone walks by.

"We're going to follow whatever the mayor tells us and not do traditional trick-or-treating," Dummeyer said. "I'm sad about it, but I understand and I'm glad that the mayor is keeping the safety of all of us in mind. Like most things with the [coronavirus], we've had to give up a lot, but it's worth it if it keeps people safe and happy, so we're fine with it."

She also noted her one-year-old daughter will still be dressing up in her lobster costume this year.

"She's too young to understand or care about trick-or-treating, so we could just do it...in our own house, and she would think it's cool."

Martin said Stamford had recently seen a "trending increase" in the average number of new positive cases of the virus per day.

"Stamford's community has adapted remarkably well to social distancing and mask guidelines this year," Martin said in a statement, "however we have seen an increase in cases since September, and we must renew our vigilance to keep our community safe and healthy. We are potentially at the beginning of a second wave across Connecticut and in our community. We must take this threat seriously to keep this virus under control and save lives."

The city recommends residents follow the state's Halloween guidance on what to avoid and other recommendations.

Residents are also encouraged to consider alternatives to trick-or-treating, such as virtual costume contests, movie nights, indoor candy scavenger hunts or even taking a walk in costume and returning home after to eat candy purchased from a store.

Contact with other households should be avoided, and families are asked to recognize many residents may be reluctant to open their doors to trick-or-treaters this year, city officials said.

All residents are still required to follow coronavirus health and safety guidelines, including maintaining six feet of distance, wearing a mask in public and washing hands thoroughly and frequently, officials said.

Patch has reached out the Mayor's Office and the Springdale Neighborhood Association for further information.