[artplumber]

In the old days we'd bother the cranky old man, because it might even be a little scary, and maybe you got to play a trick. Nowadays, too many stories of tainted candies, stolen children, fast cars in neighborhoods (see other threads) etc. Lot of concerns out there for parents. Therefore, it has become very popular for a "safe neighborhood" to get outside kids, and others which aren't as well known to have their kids exported. Other changes are more parties etc., where the kids are a lot more controlled by the parents.

Mine went in-neighborhood with my wife, only to people we know.