[Update] Fairfield Hosts Out-of-Town Trick or Treaters

Update, Nov. 1 -- 5 p.m.

Some residents are saying that they saw more trick-or-treaters Monday night than usual, while some saw few to none at all.

RTM member Michael Herley, R-1, said in his Twitter feed that his Southport neighborhood saw some run-off from Monroe, which Halloween following Saturday's snowstorm.

Overall, he said, turnout seemed a "bit lighter."

Residents said on the Fairfield Patch Facebook page that some neighborhoods -- Holland Hill, Tunxis Hill, Sky Top, and North Stratfield -- saw more trick-or-treaters than usual.

But Patricia Demaras said her South Benson Marina neighborhood "was relatively quiet."

Earlier Monday, Trick or Treat on Safety Street seemed to entertain a larger turnout than usual. Patricia Ritchie, president and CEO of Fairfield's , was surprised by the number of families and children that showed up.

"We believe it was because other towns cancelled their plans, so we had many families that were not from Fairfield," she said. "All are welcome, of course."

Original story, Oct. 31.

Despite the historic Halloween is still on in Fairfield.

Assistant Fire Chief Chris Tracy said today that the department is not advising against trick-or-treating this evening, but did urge that parents and children practice extra caution.

“The governor advised that parents stay in close proximity to children tonight,” Tracy said. “Use caution as you would on Halloween, and after this type of storm.”

There is the possibility that trick-or-treaters may come across downed wires, but the danger is not as imminent in Fairfield as it is in some of the county's .

“We were lucky by and large,” Tracy said. “The wind wasn’t as extreme here, though folks in the northwest and northeast corners of the town would disagree.”

He said the department received 88 calls since Saturday morning, regarding downed trees, downed wires, or possible carbon monoxide in homes -- roughly 2.5 times the volume received during the average snowstorm.

Still, the storm has not canceled Halloween, at least not in this town.

said he wishes all residents a safe and joyful Halloween tonight, and encourages parents to bring their children down to today.

Safety Street, the alternative (or supplement) to nighttime trick or treating, takes place from 2 to 5 p.m. on the Sherman Green. The event, put on by the , provides a safe trek for the kids. Downtown merchants will open their doors to the little monsters and give out candy and other treats.

The police department takes part in the fun, too -- police spokesperson Sgt. Sue Lussier said the D.A.R.E. car will be at the green, its trunk filled with candy. McGruff the crime dog will also make an appearance.

“It’s the best way for the kids to have fun and stay safe -- it’s still daylight out,” Lussier said.