BATHURST, N.B. -- Changes to a controversial Halloween bylaw that bans older teens from trick-or-treating and sets an early curfew in a northern New Brunswick city are expected to be approved Monday.
Bathurst city council is set to vote on proposed amendments that would slacken the bylaw following a final reading Monday night.
The new rules would forbid anyone older than 16 from trick-or-treating and set a curfew at 8 p.m., easing the current rules banning teens over the age of 14 from collecting candy door-to-door with a 7 p.m. cut off.
Under the changes, anyone over 16 found roaming the streets for treats or dressed in a "facial disguise" in public after curfew can be fined up to $200.
Bathurst police say they'll use a common-sense approach to enforcing the Halloween bylaw if it passes third reading.
Const. Jeff Chiasson says the bylaw gives police a tool to prevent and stop mischief, and that fines would be used only as a last resort.
