Halloween in Puget Neighborhood

             Puget neighborhood’s sidewalks and well-lit, low-traffic residential streets make it an ideal place for kids to trick-or-treat on Halloween night, according to Mary Chaney, president of the Puget Neighborhood Association.

            “Up at the top of the hill where we do have sidewalks and reasonably good lighting we do get great quantities of kids,” Chaney said.  “Our house, in the last five years, has had between 105 and 125 kids every year.  I lost count after 140 candies handed out last night.”

            One couple on the 800 block of Racine Street explained (as the four children they were accompanying swooped from house to house) that there are many houses and is very little traffic on Puget Hill, especially towards the top, which makes it ideal for trick-or-treating.

“It can be a busy night [Halloween], and a lot of it depends on weather,” said Mark Young, public information officer down at the Bellingham Police Department.  He explained that inclement weather is a big distraction for drivers, and increased pedestrian traffic means the chance of an accident is greater.

            According to the crime statistics on the City of Bellingham’s website, traffic offenses/complaints are the most frequently recurring reported incidents in the Puget neighborhood outside of public order maintenance.  Thus far in 2012, there have been 111 reported traffic incidents in Puget, as noted on the website.  In the past four years, there have been an average of 161 reported traffic incidents per year in Puget, according to the City of Bellingham site. 

            “The word of advice we put out for pedestrians, especially if they’re in charge of little toddlers and young ones, is cross the street safely, wear reflective clothing and have a flashlight.  Certainly don’t go down darkened alleys that look uninviting,” Young said. 

            Chaney doubts that the increase in pedestrians will be a concern because most of the traffic incidents occur on Lakeway Drive, not within the residential neighborhoods.

            “I don’t think it’s [traffic incidents are] so much an issue in the neighborhoods.  And the kids come to neighborhood areas to trick-or-treat.”

            Chaney, as well as some of the local parents, noted the popularity of Puget Hill as a hot trick-or-treating spot with families outside the Puget neighborhood as well.

            “People get dropped off by the vanload,” one father said.  “A lot of people come up here ‘cause it’s so well lit, and there’s a good candy loot.” 

“Bigger houses means more money means bigger candy bars,” said another mother while her young zombie daughter grinned.

            One mother described how her parents live on Racine Street towards the top of the hill, and they had to step up their candy-giving game when they moved in.  She said originally they gave out small candies but realized they needed to give out larger candy bars to compete with the neighbors.

            A young Captain Picard and his mother described how friendly all the neighbors on Puget Hill are, especially in their candy generosity. 

            “I just love how close and safe the neighborhood is,” the mother added.  “All of the neighbors know each other, and they recognize the local kids.”       

            Young said Puget neighborhood is as safe as any normal residential neighborhood. 

            “Our typical service calls are calls that you’d find in any residential area,” Young said.  “Calls for theft, residential burglary, domestic order violations or domestic disputes.  Towards the middle and the end of the weekend you’re going to get more noise complaints, party complaints, things of that nature.”

            Chaney said that the influx of kids does not irritate residents or cause any problems.

            “Personally I’ve seen no problems – if the lights are off at the house, the kids don’t go there,” Chaney said.  “There is always someone standing out at the street.  They [the kids] are accompanied in some manner by an adult.”

            Young was hopeful that this year’s Halloween would be relatively mild as far as incidents are concerned.

            “Typically speaking, with Halloween that falls on a week night we’d be less involved than a Halloween that falls on a weekend, but that doesn’t mean we can drop down our guard,” Young said.  “This is a good time of the year to remind people to be safe.  I just really encourage people to wear light reflective clothing, carry a light with them, avoid traffic, and really pay attention before crossing the street.”