By Jorge Casuso and Teresa Rochester

Oct. 31 -- The specter of terrorism haunted Halloween night in Santa Monica Tuesday, as parents kept their kids at home or took extra precautions while trick or treating under the first full Halloween moon in a quarter century.

Organized parties at schools and the Police Activities League (PAL) drew a record number of small witches, goblins and skeletons this year, as many local parents sought safety in the secure confines of civic institutions amidst federal warnings that there could be more terrorist attacks.

"We have a lot more people here this year," said Patty Flynn, the principal at John Muir Elementary School, as she watched an alligator, a tiny Superman and Dracula's bride scamper around the playground. "Many parents are making this their Halloween event."

"The parents know that the schools are one of the safest places to be," said Ruben Valles, the principal of SMASH, which joined Muir in the event.

At the Santa Monica Airport, ballerinas, Medusa, ninjas, Scooby Doo and Dolly Parton were among the thousands of revelers that filled Barker Hanger for the elaborate third annual PAL Halloween Party.

Children participated in a costume contest judged by Chief James T. Butts Jr., Mayor Pro Tem Richard Bloom and City Manager Susan McCarthy, among others. Crowds of kids waited in lines for trips through a haunted fun house, played carnival games hosted by various organizations, had their faces painted, participated in a pie eating contest or simply hung out with their parents watching the spectacle of colorful costumes filling the cavernous hanger.

Some partygoers said they had planned to attend the Halloween festivities, which have drawn 5,000 people in the past, before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the east coast but added that they felt they and their children were safer at an event organized and attended by police.

"It's just safer," said Santa Monica parent Eddie Lambert, whose family was attending the party for a second year. "They (the kids) like it. It's a good show."

"We planned on coming before all this," said Sharon Teitelman, whose family came dressed as characters from Winnie the Pooh. "We know people who didn't come because of all this and because it's at an airport."

Some parents at the John Muir event -- which also featured a costume contest, as well as popcorn-filled transparent gloves that resempled severed hands -- said they planned to forego the traditional night out and take their children home after the events.

"There are much more people here," said Sandy Wells, vice-president of the John Muir PTA, who was attending the event for the third year. "I think it's all the events that have happened. People don't feel safe going out this year. We're not going out. Things have changed."

Other parents said they would let their children go trick or treating, but would be especially careful.

"We're doing it in a big group. We're not leaving the neighborhood," said Pam Post, whose two children attend Muir. "This year I will definitely watch which houses we go to and the candy. I definitely will screen that candy."

Some parents went a step further, making sure the candy gathered by their children wouldn't go into their mouths. One group of parents bought an assortment of candies to replace the door-to-door treats.