would doctor up candy (or razor blades in apples, etc.) and generally speaking, our societies were much less dangerous than todays.
Trunk or treats is good for what you mention. Luckily, I still live in a community (Eagle Mtn) where I still feel generally safe in our community trick or treating.
A sign of the times for me on Thursday was my SIL putting a small tracking device on all of his kids, nieces and nephews as they headed out trick or treating.