Washington D C Halloween laws and regulations
Post on: 2011-11-02 By: admin
Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays for the young and the old. Who doesn't enjoy dressing up in costumes and indulging in trick-or-treating? However, for many parents, Halloween-related fears overshadow the joy and anticipation. According to a recent research, 31 percent of parents worry about accidents while kids are walking around, 24 percent fret over poisoning from tampered or spoiled treats, and 15 percent fear abductions. As the holiday approaches, what are some of the rules and regulations for Halloween in Washington, D.C.? Here're some of things to consider while we are out trick-or-treating.
[Related: Three best Halloween costume stores in Washington, D.C.]
Don't drink and drive; call SoberRide
Every day, almost 30 people in the U.S. die in car crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. Since 1993,Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) recognizes the vulnerability during the holidays and offers SoberRide, a free cab ride program for residents in the D.C. area. The ride operates during the December/January holiday season and on St. Patrick's Day, Independence Day, and Halloween
The Halloween SoberRide program is available on Saturday, October 29, from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. on Sunday, October 30, 2011. Impaired drivers 21 years or older may call 800-200-8294 (TAXI) to receive a free ride up to $30. Rides cannot be reserved or scheduled in advance. A list of participating taxi companies is provided on the website.
Paint them, don't mask them
Unless in a masquerade, remember the D.C. laws do not allow people 16 years and older to wear masks that hide, conceal, or cover any portion of the face. The Metropolitan Police Department recommends using non-toxic and hypoallergenic face paint and avoiding masks for Halloween.
D.C. law enforcement agencies take special measures against sex offenders during Halloween. Sex offenders are not allowed to decorate or participate in the holiday in any form. Curfews are in place that require offenders to be home. The department partakes in accountability tours and visits offenders' homes unannounced. GPS tracking is implemented on several.
Although the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority provides regular services during the holidays, Metrobuses may detour during special Halloween events throughout the district. Riders can access the Metrobus detour section on the website for detour advisories.
During Halloween, look out for road closures and parking restrictions. The District of Transportation updates detailed road or lane closure information on their website. On several occasions, only residents and employees of businesses within these areas are granted access. A proof of residency or work identification may be required to access these streets.
While law enforcement works to keep things under control, they urge residents to call 3-1-1 to report any suspicious incidents
Reena Das lives in the Washington, D.C., area and writes for Yahoo! Contributor Network. She follows local, family-friendly events with passion. Originally from India, Reena traveled across the Atlantic 15 years ago to make a home in this new country. Today, she is proud to call herself a stay-at-home mom of two and an honorable citizen of the United States.
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I have not seen this law enforced in DC, sound like the writer doesn't know much about DC.In Georgetown every Halloween people have masks on... don't believe everything you hear in the media especially from the web.
• Bethesda, United States•
what about airsoft guns? can i use an airsoft gun as part of my costume?
How am I supposed to paint a nixon mask on? stupid idiots. new law for the d.c. metro area. Under code 42069 you are not allowed to have fun. oh and smileing or giggleing will result in an excessive fine of 500 dollars.
• Washington, United States•
We are aware of rapes, burglaries, murders, etc., when people open their doors to strangers.So, just because it's Halloween, we are supposed to open our doors for strangers, stand with our doors open long enough to fill their bags, and all the while, the people at the door are DISGUISED in masks?It is unfortunate that we need these laws, but the fact is that we do, in order to prevent Halloween from turning into a perfect day for criminals who cannot be caught because they're costumes prevented them from being recognized -- even if they were videotaped holding up a bank or shooting a store clerk.
• Columbus, United States•
For those (like the author) who want to get up in arms about the laws without clicking on the link...
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (Washington, D.C.)
§ 22-3312.03. Wearing hoods or masks.
(a) No person or persons over 16 years of age, while wearing any mask, hood, or device whereby any portion of the face is hidden, concealed, or covered as to conceal the identity of the wearer, shall:
(1) Enter upon, be, or appear upon any lane, walk, alley, street, road highway, or other public way in the District of Columbia;
(2) Enter upon, be, or appear upon or within the public property of the District of Columbia; or
(3) Hold any manner of meeting or demonstration.
(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section **apply only if** the person was wearing the hood, mask, or other device:
(1) With the intent to deprive any person or class of persons of equal protection of the law or of equal privileges and immunities under the law, or for the purpose of preventing or hindering the constituted authorities of the United States or the District of Columbia from giving or securing for all persons within the District of Columbia equal protection of the law;
(2) With the intent, by force or threat of force, to injure, intimidate, or interfere with any person because of his or her exercise of any right secured by federal or District of Columbia laws, or to intimidate any person or any class of persons from exercising any right secured by federal or District of Columbia laws;
(3) With the intent to intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass any other person;
(4) With the intent to cause another person to fear for his or her personal safety, or, where it is probable that reasonable persons will be put in fear for their personal safety by the defendant's actions, with reckless disregard for that probability; or
(5) While engaged in conduct prohibited by civil or criminal law, with the intent of avoiding identification.
Emphasis, in the form of the stars, added by me.Trick or treating is not normally done with the intent of threat of physical harm...
• Washington, United States•
Here's an example of half of the news. There's no law against Halloween masks - the law says masks or hoods are prohibits ONLY:
(1) With the intent to deprive any person or class of persons of equal protection of the law or of equal privileges and immunities under the law, or for the purpose of preventing or hindering the constituted authorities of the United States or the District of Columbia from giving or securing for all persons within the District of Columbia equal protection of the law;
(2) With the intent, by force or threat of force, to injure, intimidate, or interfere with any person because of his or her exercise of any right secured by federal or District of Columbia laws, or to intimidate any person or any class of persons from exercising any right secured by federal or District of Columbia laws;
(3) With the intent to intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass any other person;
(4) With the intent to cause another person to fear for his or her personal safety, or, where it is probable that reasonable persons will be put in fear for their personal safety by the defendant's actions, with reckless disregard for that probability; or
(5) While engaged in conduct prohibited by civil or criminal law, with the intent of avoiding identification.
• Silver Spring, United States•
The reason why they permit face paint is that they can still run facial recognition on people. It is not possible with masks on. I strongly recommend the movie V for Vendeta.
• Denver, United States•
The author has it absolutely wrong about the DC law about masks.You are only breaking the mask law if your intent is to wear it to commit a crime or make someone fear for their personal safety.It is also irresponsible to make the comment that parents are afraid of their child ingesting tampered treats when this is just an urban legend.Check it out on snopes.
• Arlington, United States•
Unless in a masquerade, remember the D.C. laws do not allow people 16 years and older to wear masks that hide, conceal, or cover any portion of the face.
Does that mean Michael Myers from the movie Halloween isn't allowed to visit the district this this year? Too bad, I was looking forward to it!
• Washington, United States•
According to the post that Stephen made, I can still be on any privately-owned property while wearing a mask. As long as I don't intend to do bodily harm to others (i'm not), it's legal to wear a mask. lol I can see why the law is there, it is to protect anyone for using the holiday for their own personal gain, such as mugging, killing, raping, or robbing someone. As long as you don't intend to do that, you are okay to wear a mask.
What about haunted houses/hayrides? I'd never visit one if all they can do is paint their face, that's the lamest. I know they aren't allowed to touch you, but they are pretending to do bodily harm and it IS a public place, so i'm not sure where a haunted house/hayride lies within those rules.
It's beenlaw in many States including Virginia that you cannot conceal your identity over the age of 16 years of age in any manner.
Man I feel safer now.The sex offenders have to be hoe during Halloween and some have GPS.Give me a break!!!Are they only predators on Halloween?
• Spotsylvania, United States•
I bet you can wear a birka. Now how is that fair to a pagan, agnostic, or atheist?
So, you can wear a wig and face paint, but not a mask.Can any of them explain the difference?Ugh, typical DC over regulation.I wonder if the DC council passed that one, or if it is left over from when the Feds ran the show.
• Washington, United States•
Manassas,does not cover the kids like I would like them to. They allow people 16 years and older to wear masks that hide, conceal, or cover any portion of the face.law enforcement agencies does not take special measures against sex offenders during Halloween. Sex offenders are allowed to decorate or participate in the holiday.
yea because sex offenders are the only dangers who go bumping in the night on halloween.that should be the least of your concerns
I've been to Georgetown for Halloween, which is obviously part of Washington DC, and have seen many adults wearing masks.Never knew there was such a law.And neither did the thousands of people walking around in masks.
What no razor blades in apples anymore!
No masks on Halloween? What has this country turned into? And PG can DC cops are the most corrupt cops you'll ever come across by the way! I know first hand, I grew up in PG and have worked in DC.Watch out if wearing any masks... They look for any reason to give you a beatdown or arrest you!
• Jefferson, United States•
Actually if you interpret the law as it is written, Stephen is completely right.Anyone walking down the street with a mask on would not be violating any of the clauses or subsections listed unless the intent was to cause harm.I am certain DC police may try to enforce this law at some point, but I am almost as certain that it would not hold up in court unless you are driving with it on.
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