Vancouver city councillor, Lucy Maloney, expresses surprise and disappointment at the decision to postpone a motion aimed at making it easier to establish pedestrian-only zones on Halloween for the safety of children. Maloney highlighted the alarming rate of traffic accidents involving children on October 31 each year.
During a council meeting, Maloney proposed a motion to streamline the process for residents to obtain permits to create pedestrianized neighborhoods on Halloween. The permit system would resemble those used for block parties, including the provision of free street barricades and event insurance.
Despite Maloney’s efforts, the motion, intended for implementation by Halloween 2026, was deferred by the council. Members of the ABC Party voted to refer the motion to staff, prompting Maloney to express her frustration on social media.
Maloney emphasized the urgency of taking action to protect children, criticizing the delay caused by the referral. Vancouver Green Party Coun. Pete Fry supported the motion, recounting a harrowing incident where a speeding driver narrowly missed hitting a child during trick-or-treating.
However, ABC Coun. Brian Montague raised concerns about potential repercussions of creating pedestrian zones, suggesting that rerouting traffic could lead to increased vehicle incidents in other areas. Maloney, looking ahead to 2025, is urging residents to prioritize safety by leaving their cars at home during peak trick-or-treating hours.