CAMDEN - Back in 2003, Camden police still drove down Pearl Street on Halloween night, making sure that the treats outweighed the tricks, and the mischief-makers were kept at bay. But a few years later, the crowds became too thick and the police simply blocked vehicle access to the street, and let the kiddies and their parents roam without fear of needing to watch for cars as they ran from house to house.

All that time, Pearl Street has grown to become a sweet-toothed zombie’s paradise. In 2015, one resident reported handing out more than 1,100 lollipops by 7:30 p.m., and there were costumed children still ringing doorbells. Further proving that Pearl Street is the happening place for Halloweenies of all ages, last year Kea Tesseyman and Kinetic Energy Alive delighted the crowd with a flash mob dance to Michael Jackson's Thriller.

So once again the informal Pearl Street Candy Drive is actively seeking donations to help its residents meet the needs of all those children that make their way along the street on Halloween night.

Pearl Street is seen by many parents around the immediate region as a safe alternative for their children. While there are more than 70 houses on the street, many are occupied only in the summer, leaving the trick-or-treating responsibilities to a much smaller group of residents. Once children begin to fill the street on Halloween night, the Camden Police Department closes off the area between Park Street and Free Street, and the targeted area shrinks to fewer than 40 houses.

The 2011 event gathered enough candy and donations to provide five to six bags of candy to each home, offering much needed assistance and support to the street's homeowners.

Candy drive organizers are hoping for the community's continued generosity this year as well.

This year, donations of candy can be dropped off at Clean Bee Laundry, located at 83 Elm St. in Camden, in the Reny’s Plaza. Organizers would like all donations to be dropped off by Saturday, Oct. 29, so that there is time for the candy to be picked up or delivered, and distributed prior to Monday night's festivities.

Related link:

• A very Pearl Street Halloween 2015