He was a polite, balding accountant who had become president because he was honest, organized, and simply too slow to say no.
Karen had learned how to speak around him.
She clicked to her first presentation slide.
The title appeared in enormous letters:
HALLOWEEN RISK MITIGATION PLAN
Luis leaned toward me.
“That sounds like a military operation against candy corn.”
Rachel covered her mouth to hide a laugh.
Karen began presenting statistics.
Pedestrian injuries.
Nighttime visibility.
Sugar-related hyperactivity.
Stranger access.
Property damage.
Noise complaints.
She cited a study from another state, an insurance blog, and something called the National Seasonal Safety Council.
I suspected it consisted of three people and a website.
Then she moved to “vulnerable residents.”
“Our elderly neighbors deserve peace after dark.”
Mrs. Bell raised her hand.
Karen ignored her.
“Our children deserve structure.”
A teenager called from the back:
“We deserve Reese's.”
The room erupted in laughter.
Karen didn't smile.
Then came the slide that changed everything.
ENFORCEMENT FRAMEWORK
I raised my hand.
“Karen, what exactly does enforcement mean?”
She looked pleased.
“Visible reminders, volunteer monitors, and, if necessary, contracted safety support.”
The room became quiet.
I leaned forward.
“You mean security guards?”
“Safety personnel.”
Luis stood.
“Are you hiring guards to police trick-or-treating?”
Karen's smile tightened.
“Only if residents indicate unwillingness to comply voluntarily.”