Wilma damage keeps many trick-or-treaters at home

MIAMI – Little ghosts and goblins in cities across South Florida were stuck inside Monday night as officials urged parents to call off trick-or-treating because of the damage from Hurricane Wilma.

The power was still out in many places, and storm debris made some streets and sidewalks hazardous.

“In Miami Springs, they always have parties and tell stories. And now they have canceled that,” said a disappointed Mika Lorenzo, 9. He had planned to wear a knight’s costume.

Officials in Miami and other communities asked parents not to let their children go out after dark Monday. Several cities have had curfews since the storm hit a week ago, and some of those curfews were still in effect. But even in cities where the curfews had been lifted, officials worried about children being out in the night.

“If your kids don’t need to go door-to-door trick or treating this year, they probably shouldn’t,” said Miami police Lt. Bill Schwartz.

Few children were out Monday in one suburban Doral neighborhood, even though it had been mostly cleared of debris. Only three, one dressed as Spiderman and two as Batman, had knocked on the door for candy at Raymond Perez’s home by twilight.

“It’s a tradition,” Perez said. “You’ve got to keep it going. Put on a happy face.”