Safe Halloween, a traditional family friendly event held in Sooke for more than a decade, has been cancelled.
A lack of resources and volunteer help is the many reasons for the event’s demise, say officials.
“We just don’t have the capacity to run it,” said Colleen Hoglund, a SEAPARC spokesperson.
“We had to make a decision on what we could offer, and know other events happening in our community around Halloween.”
In the past, Safe Halloween featured carnival games, a haunted house, fireworks and other activities.
Last year about 200 people attended Safe Halloween.
Safe Halloween earned its name several years ago not to necessarily protect youth from ghouls and goblins, but more so to protect youth from themselves.
For several years in a row on Halloween night, Sooke youth took over the town core, setting fires in dumpsters, throwing debris at police, smashing windows of businesses and vandalizing property.
The juvenile violence hit its peak, however, and in 2000, a local group formed to make Halloween night safe for youth and families alike.
Mayor Maja Tait is disappointed Safe Halloween won’t take place this year, but understands the reason for its cancellation.
“It’s a lot of work. Different groups have done Safe Halloween in the past. You do need others to help out with these things.”