SEATTLE — Thousands of families throughout the state are getting ready to go trick-or-treating on Tuesday night.
But are safety concerns in some Seattle and Tacoma neighborhoods putting a damper on the longtime Halloween tradition? KING 5 spoke with residents in north Seattle and Tacoma to find out.
"We moved here in the summer of '68 and back in the day when I was trick-or-treating, we had a lot," said Lesley Fode whose family has lived in Ballard’s Olympic Manor neighborhood for decades.
Fode said Halloween is one of her favorite holidays and it shows with the countless decorations outside her family's home. But she feels there's been less holiday spirit as of late.
"Sadly, I am seeing (a) decrease in the number of kids that go out and the ones that do are generally accompanied by their parents," Fode said. "I totally understand."
She believes the decrease in trick-or-treaters is because of what she said is an increase in crime. In just the past week, KING 5 has reported about groups destroying Halloween decorations in south King County.
Seattle police said last week that there have been at least 14 instances of teens targeted in muggings since September.
"I think with what's going on in Ballard with these gangs going around it's scaring people," Fode said.
Despite those concerns, Shannon Hofeditz is planning on getting out with her family on Halloween night.
"Of course, I have heard things, but it hasn't dissuaded my husband or I think we feel comfortable because we will be with our kids, but, no, we will be out there, 100 percent," Hofeditz said.
Hofeditz said she still sees hundreds of trick-or-treaters along her street and is a tradition that will never go away.
"It's great for the kids to express themselves in costumes," Hofeditz said. "They get excited for us to also dress up, so it's just a fun family activity."
KING 5 spoke with a Tacoma parent about safety concerns during Halloween. She said she was being extra vigilant taking her child trick-or-treating after a rash of illegal activity in and around the Proctor district.