Should Mass. Change Date of Halloween?

BOSTON, MA — A Pembroke selectman is pushing to change the date that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts celebrates Halloween, reports the Statehouse News Service.

Arthur Boyle, in cooperation with Rep. Josh Cutler (D-Duxbury), wants to make the last Saturday in October the official date that the state celebrates. Boyle believes that holding the holiday on the weekend allows local officials to better prepare for trick-or-treating and other celebrations.

The holiday is widely celebrated throughout the state, but in Salem, the celebration rolls all month long. Salem Police Captain Conrad Prosniewski said that it doesn't make much of a difference when the holiday is celebrated.

"Halloween is always challenging," Prosniewski told Patch."But we've been at this for a while, and it doesn't make any difference."

Halloween is currently celebrated on Oct. 31 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as it is across the country. However, many cities and towns across the state set their own designated trick-or-treating hours.

Cutler recently filed HD. 5135, legislation that would designate the celebration of the holiday accordingly, however he told the State House News Service in an email that he still isn't completely sold on the legislation.

Prosniewski also added that crime in the city during the month of October is infrequent.

"Almost everyone comes in to have a good time," said Prosniewski."We have the usual stuff that happens throughout the city, but actually our arrest rate is pretty low."

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The Salem Police Department was not immediately available for comment on this story. Check back with Patch for updates.

For the full Statehouse News story, click here

Image via Taylor Rapalyea, Patch Staff