Ludington Officials Disrupt Halloween Night, Moves it Forward to Worse Night

[XLFD]

Earlier this afternoon, the Chief of Police of the Ludington Police Department, Mark Barnett made a pronouncement that due to bad weather forecasted over a day away on Halloween night, the City of Ludington would hold door-to-door trick or treating on Friday instead of Thursday, otherwise known as Halloween night.  I really couldn't believe it when I heard the news, figuring it was someone playing a joke on me, but it turned out to be true.  

Apparently, there is an almost certain chance of rain and strong winds predicted and so the order is to keep the ghosts and goblins and their overseers in from the elements that day.  So I looked at the forecast for Thursday night on Weather Underground:

 

 

Comments from some of the media have said that the wind is supposed to be as high as 30 mph and the chance of precipitation is 100%.  As you can see the two stats are lower, with wind at 14 mph and chance of rain 90%, and at a very nice Halloween temperature of 55 degrees.  That's not optimum condition for those who want to take their kids trick or treating, but it isn't all that bad really.  In fact, when we take a look at the Friday forecast, we see that it may need further moving if we use the chief's rationale:

 

 

We see the wind whipping in at the same speed earlier on that night (14 mph), the chance of rain is 30%, with likely a bit of rain falling through the day.  The City of Ludington, small in area, could easily get as much rain as it does on Thursday, possibly more.  But Friday becomes even worse when you factor in the temperature, which is about ten degrees lower than it is on Thursday.  At 55 degrees, a little wind is more annoying than biting, but when you get down to 45 degrees with 15 mph winds you have it feeling like it's 29 degrees out, as this chart illustrates:

 

 

So exposed flesh will not only be moist due to high humidity or rain, but the wind will make the temperature below freezing to your exposed skin-- on Friday.  Thursday's forecast will feel over twenty degrees warmer.  So if you're actually looking out for the safety of kids so as to avoid getting sick with bronchitis or pneumonia you may want to choose Halloween on Thursday instead of Friday.  Oops, the calendar just happened to do that as well, Chief Barnett.  Fortunately, our pals from Scottville and other neighboring areas have the common sense to keep Halloween on Halloween. 

 

 

On WZZM, they remarked that Ludington did this and asked their Facebook audience whether this was smart or silly on Ludington's part.  The majority of respondents seemed to think it was silly. 

Typical responses: 

"I grew up in Ludington 30 yrs ago when it snowed half the time never did they move it that's silly and they wonder why the kids today are so whimpy."

"I remember trick or treating in the rain and the snow.... They didn't change when we were kids... We live in Michigan bundle up and face the weather. It's not the kids that don't want to go it's the parents."

"Stupid, how about moving Christmas because it's too snowy."

"Rain and cold weather doesn't get you sick! Germs do! People need to toughen up! I have a 5,4,2,1 and 4 month old and we will be trick or treating!"

"We're from the area, and a lot of us are thinking silly. Thank You Scottville (neighboring city) to keep trick or treating on Halloween!"

[Willy]

I heard on the radio that children are 4 times more likely to be hit by motor vehicles on Halloween than other days of the year. Add that statistic to a road full of drunks on Friday night and we have trouble brewing.

[XLFD]

Last night's weather results (6-8 PM) are in from the weather underground; the temperature hovered between 58-61 degrees (unseasonably warm) the wind was mild averaging about 9 mph during that period, the precipitation was there as sprinkles and mist, but minimal, with us only getting 0.15 inches for the full day. 

Tonight, it has moved up to a 70% chance of rain, one degree up from the prior forecast to 46, and the wind is predicted to be 12 mph.  Looks like a bad idea from the weather standpoint too as it is supposed to be windier, much cooler, and almost as rainy tonight.  Not to mention those drunks and extra kids from out of town, hopefully mutually exclusive of each other.  We could call it bobbing for disasters.

[AQUAMAN]

Tonight's report: not many trick or treaters out there tonight. I saw none, although it might be late, 7-8pm? Really? Methinks they went elsewhere last nite, like 3 out of the 7 respondents told me yesterday. Just Imagine, the "only town in Michigan" to do this. And as the weather was ok earlier, rain moved in tonight, it started to sprinkle, then pour about 7-7:30 pm, and so , was this mission accomplished, or just, laughable? I hope there is a blizzard on New Years, just to prove a, well, moot point, that what the COL says is a safety call. Or is it authoritarian in nature, and a mistake in reality? Woops, that's a no-no, must NOT EVER admit making a mistake, must we?

[XLFD]

Tonight was like last night except cooler.  The rain came but me and my witch-princess trudged the south part of town, and got a good haul from those participating. 

Boots on the ground the last two nights, I'd have to say the move was stupid, but it did allow the kids two nights to get sick from getting soaked instead of the usual one, two nights to avoid parents in cars looking for the next house with lights on. 

Parents/chaperones:  when you come to Ludington to go trick or treating, park somewhere and walk with your kids from house to house; those who live here just walk to the houses.  You'll save a lot of gas, save a lot of unsafe interaction with kids and folks out trying to have a good time, and you'll have a lot more fun.  If its raining, take an umbrella or wear a costume that will protect you from getting wet; you and your kids will have a lot more fun.

If Chief Barnett really wants to make sure everyone has a safe and traditional Halloween, let's outlaw driving from house to house on that night, and outlaw moving trick or treats from October 31.  If it's too windy, rainy or snowy that night, the parents will make their own rules as to whether they want their kids out that night.

[XLFD]

More Grinchy than Scroogelike, I'd wager, but great analysis s. todd, other than that you name-called our Chief of Halloween Police what could be a pejorative term. 

I like female cats too much to have you insult them by equating Chief Barnett on equal level to them-- same goes for the other definition if that's what you meant, LOL.

Two days, Chief Barnett has had my question about the legality of this move, but no reply.  Once again, the city officials show their arrogance and indifference to the republic based on the rule of law for which they pledge allegiance to each meeting.

[XLFD]

Okay a look back to the actual weather of both days between 6-8 PM both nights courtesy Weather Underground; a reverse forecast, if you will.

Friday:  Temp:  45-50 degrees, Windspeed (avg):  5 mph,  Rain:  steady drizzle at times , Accum (day):  .31 in.

Thursday: Temp:  58-60 degrees, Windspeed (avg):  8 mph, Rain: steady drizzle at times, Accum (day):  .15 in.

 

The light wind was not really a problem either night, the rain was an inconvenience both nights but the kids didn't melt-- even those dressed up like the wicked witch of the west.  Final analysis due to weather:  both nights turned out calmer than predicted weatherwise, but Friday was cooler more rainy, and turned out to be the worse night for trick or treating.  To be safer next year, is Chief Barnett planning to reschedule Halloween for 6-8 PM during August?

[AQUAMAN]

EyE, who put YOU in Charge of ethics, morals, and professionalism? Your continuous repeated "insults" far outweigh any human I know of!

[XLFD]

EyE,

Check out the MCP and COLDNews Facebook sites that have put out their own take on the Chiefs personal attacks.  Once you read through the incredibly-biased stories, check out the meanness in the replies supplied almost exclusively by people I don't know or have never met, here are some from both outlets:

 

 

 

 

 

  

[AQUAMAN]

Simple-minded minions of collaboration, don't let the bastards get you down! EyE, you mentioned you are a citizen of Ludville? You may be now, but you know not what you do or say as a "real Ludville local". Your resume recent looks like you vagabond all around the state. You criticize and ridicule for jollies, and that has it's place elsewhere where kiddies are, but not at the Torch where people are trying to uncover truths and facts, not relish in their own vanity. The fact of the Halloween matter last fall was that no other city in the state of Michigan had anyone cancel the holiday, and never has in the past. The "authoritarianism" of some implants is something to behold, and just pity the men that think they are so appreciated in so doing.

[Willy]

Amazing posts from low information posters. They are getting only one side of the story which are lies told by the Council the Chief and the press.

[AQUAMAN]

Will Halloween be subverted and cancelled again this year? Like 2013? I wonder. Unless they caught that dangerous 21 year old Dylan from the MC Courthouse yesterday that escaped the LDN/MCSO and hasn't been seen since? Or has he been captured now? Funny, the LDN had an article about just this today, but it's in Pa., not here. So what's the correlation? (Tried to post the link but something must be out of order, anyone?)

[XLFD]

Yes, Aquaman, that guy was caught, but the question about Halloween is a good one. 

In Ludington, the temperature will be between 35-38 degrees which is when freezing rain falls best, and it should be precipitating through the day, before falling to about a 10% chance of rain during trick or treating times.  If Barnett cancels again, I swear I am going to do a meme of him melting to the ground just after Dorothy throws water on him.