Letter: Is there an age limit for trick-or-treat?

A few days ago, my husband and I were commenting on how nice it’s been in the last few years that Meeker has seen hardly any trouble or minor crimes on Halloween. I can remember a few years back reading in the paper how people were tired of their pumpkins being smashed or their decorations stolen. We were glad to see that maybe those sorts of things would be rare. From now on I do have to say, though, the way my 13-year-old son and two of his friends were treated Halloween night while they were trick-or-treating has left me wondering why older children would want to trick-or-treat instead of causing trouble.
The three of them were subjected to rude comments at several houses, including things such as, “Aren’t you guys too old to be doing this?,” “I can’t believe you guys still try to trick-or-treat,” and “I hope this is the last year I see you guys out here.” One woman even went as far as after being very snotty and saying, “Are you serious? I can’t believe you’re still trick-or-treating,” went into her house and came back with three small mints instead of giving them candy out of the bowl for trick-or-treaters. My son and his friends are 13-years-old. I, for one, know that I would much rather have them put on a costume and go trick-or-treating than see them getting into trouble egging houses, toilet papering, soaping windows, slashing tires, smashing pumpkins, stealing decorations, etc. If our children (who are only children for such a ridiculously short time) are trying to hold on to the innocence and fun that trick-or-treating on Halloween night can bring, then I think we should let them have a good time and not ridicule or embarrass them.
To those people who see the fun and the joy in handing out candy to our children, I say thank you for being kind and welcoming to older children trying to stay out of trouble. You can rest assured if any child comes to our house, whether they’re 6 or 16 (or even older), they will be welcomed and treated kindly and warmly. And they will be given candy out of the big bowl for trick-or-treaters, not something scrounged up grudgingly.
Travis and Mandy Mobley
Meeker