Some malls canceling trick-or-treating, others beefing up security

Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood canceled its Halloween trick-or-treating event and some other malls are beefing up security to address the public's safety concerns.

Alderwood is part of Chicago-based General Growth Properties, a national chain that canceled all Halloween activities at the 145 malls it owns or manages in 39 states. Other General Growth Properties include the Tacoma-area Lakewood Mall and Bellis Fair in Bellingham.

These malls will still be open Oct. 31, but a spokesperson said the chain felt Halloween events were inappropriate this year given the terrorist attacks.

Nationwide, several mall chains have nixed Halloween plans, said Malachy Kavanagh, spokesman for the New York-based International Council of Shopping Centers. Malls sponsor free Halloween activities as a public service and don't expect to profit from them.

Malls "have to take every threat so seriously now," Kavanagh said. "If they had to bring in police and emergency personnel, they didn't want to scare a mall full of children."

Mall Halloween events, touted as a safe, warm alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating, are especially popular here in soggy Seattle. Most major malls, including Bellevue Square, Northgate, University Village, Redmond Town Square, SuperMall, Southcenter, Factoria, Crossroads, SeaTac and Country Village are continuing their annual Halloween nights where children go store to store in costume and receive candy and prizes. Some malls also stage entertainment and activities.

Bellevue Square's Halloween Family Funfest, which features clowns, arts-and-crafts booths and band music as well as trick-or-treating, usually attracts about 5,000 visitors, said spokeswoman Anne Marie Peacock.

Last year, the SuperMall in Auburn saw 7,000 to 8,000 trick-or-treaters, said marketing director Ed Camp.

Malls proceeding with Halloween events aren't sure what attendance to expect given the wide circulation of an e-mail warning people against going to malls Oct. 31. Though the FBI investigated and dismissed the e-mail as a hoax, some people remain wary.

Several malls plan to hire off-duty police officers and add security guards, with some patrolling parking lots and emptying trashcans.

Though none expect any major problems, mall officials and local police want to reassure visitors.

"We want to do whatever is necessary to make people feel safe," said Marcia Harnden, spokeswoman for the Bellevue Police Department, which always adds patrol officers on Halloween because of neighborhood mischief. "Anxieties are running pretty high. We'll err on the side of caution to allow people to enjoy the holiday."