By Matt Russell
Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN 

With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, the temptation for kids to stay out late will undoubtedly be strong.

But can they? Here's some guidance to Halloween festivities:

Are special hours reserved for trick-or-treating?

Not in Rochester or most Minnesota cities. Although some cities outline times for children to go trick-or-treating or have special Halloween curfews, Rochester as normal curfew hours.

Police recommend using common sense.

"We recommend that the littlest kids go out while it's still somewhat light out so they can see, and that they're accompanied by an adult," said Darrel Hildebrant of the Rochester Police Department.

How late is too late to be out?

In Rochester, kids under 16 can't be out without a parent or guardian between 10:30 p.m. and 5 a.m., and unsupervised teens ages 16 and 17 need to be in from midnight to 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Curfew is the same in Stewartville, while Byron kids under age 16 can't be out from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. In Pine Island, the curfew for all minors is between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight to 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Think that's bad? Some cities require minors to be inside as early as 8 p.m. on Halloween night.

What happens to kids caught out beyond curfew?

It depends on the situation.

"If we see they're up to vandalism, casing cars and prowling, they may be brought down here (to the police station) and their parents will be asked to pick them up," Hildebrant said.

But often, officers just escort kids home and talk to their parents.

"As a rule police want to make sure they get home for their own safety," Hildebrant said.

Of course, kids can be out late if they're with an adult, he added.

Are signs pointing to a wild Halloween?

Perhaps, Hildebrant said.

"Being that's it's a Saturday night and it's almost the full moon, I think we're preparing for a wild weekend."

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