Why cancel F'ville trick or treat?

Why cancel

F'ville trick or treat?

You may have probably heard

that the Trick or Treat on Main Street [in Fayetteville] has been cancelled

this year. I for one am very upset about this. (Please do not mistake

my intentions. I am not doing this for my children.) I have two children,

a 10-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy. Every year, they along with thousands

of other children, look forward to going trick or treating on Halloween.

Through its wonderful generosity,

Main Street started the Trick or Treat through Main Street on the Friday

before Halloween. For many children, this is the only chance they have

to go trick or treating safely. They are in a lighted area and go from

door to door getting candy and treats from the local vendors. Parents

can be assured that the children are going to get candy that's safe and

it's a wonderful sense of community.

This year, however, it has

been cancelled. After speaking with the Chief of Police, I understand

some of the concerns regarding the safety of children crossing the streets.

With the event taking place at rush hour on Friday, there are thousands

of cars going through those intersections and someone could get hurt.

This I can understand.

But, I have one question: Why

couldn't we work to make a different arrangement at a different time instead

of just canceling it? Why couldn't we move it across the street into the

administration area? Why couldn't they move it to Saturday morning or

Saturday afternoon?

It's hard enough on our children

to see the tragic events of Sept. 11. It's hard enough for them to hear

talk of it happening again somewhere else. It's hard enough that my daughter

is only 10 years old and the U.S. has been at war twice in her life.

The event doesn't have anything

to do with adults. It's for the children. Why can't we come up with a

compromise? Why do some children have to miss out on trick or treating

and forget the worries of the world for a few hours and just be kids?

Can you please help me understand?

A confused mom

Name withheld