Halloween Trick-Or-Treating Has Been Canceled In A Pennsylvania Town Due To Eric Frein Manhunt
Halloween trick-or-treating, an annual parade, and a 5K race have been canceled in one Pennsylvania town as the manhunt for Eric Frein continues in the area.
The Barrett Township said its annual Halloween parade and 5K Scarecrow Race are canceled indefinitely, and trick-or-treating is banned this year, as the search for Eric Frein continues. Eric is accused of ambushing two police officers, killing one. The search is now in its fourth week, with heavily armed police officers and searching the heavily wooded area around the community. Police suspect that Fein is still hiding in the area, and is using his survivalist skills to survive.
According to ABC News, the Halloween parade is typically one of the biggest events for the town. Ralph Megliola, chairman of the township’s Board of Supervisors, said everyone is very disappointed about the canceling of the event.
“This parade is probably one of the biggest events that the town has every year. Everyone looks forward to the parade. Myself and my family personally have been away and cut our vacation short to get home in time for the parade. Thousands of people line the streets.”
Sadly, it appears the streets will be vacant of any Halloween spirit this year. Megliola said that this year would have been the town’s 50th anniversary parade. It was scheduled for October 26. However, police are concerned that a Halloween celebration would give Frein a chance to escape in costume.
The local authorities note that the only way Halloween activities will go on as planned is if Frein is captured before the events. If he’s found before Halloween, Megliola said the town will reconsider its Halloween activities. For now, a “trunk-or-treat” will be held in the parking lot of a Catholic school in a nearby township for those wanting to participate in a Halloween activity.
Fox News also reports that the events had to be canceled due to man power issues within the police department. The outlet said police who would normally provide security for the two popular events are consumed with the search, which is now entering its second month.
Since the start of the manhunt, police have found several pieces of evidence, including a journal allegedly written by Frein himself. Lt. Col. George Bivens said at a news conference Wednesday that the journal contains details that only would’ve been known by the shooter. Notably, police said, the author does not identify the troopers by name, suggesting they were targeted at random.
