With Halloween falling on a warm Saturday local law enforcement will be out in force to prevent the violent activity which has hit this holiday before.
Boston Police will have extra officers out starting Friday afternoon when many of the younger kids begin to trick-or-treat at area businesses. Later Friday and again on Saturday units will also be monitoring adult activity, making sure noted party areas are under control and the city’s hot spots are kept quiet.
“Being on a weekend it poses increased activity for us,” said BPD Superintendent William Evans. “We’re putting on a significant number of extra patrols...we’ll keep a good watch on the children early in the night but our focus will be on the adults.”
Three people were shot in Boston on Halloween 2007, and two men were murdered in separate incidents on the day before Halloween last year.
Halloween falls on a Saturday for the first time since 1998 and temperatures are expected to approach 70 during the day. In addition, daylight savings time takes place early Sunday morning, giving late-night revelers an extra hour of mischief.
Halloween weekend will see many people take to the streets for candy, parties or general mayhem. It is a time that shines a light on some of the pitfalls of a night on the town. So, in addition to watching out for ghosts and goblins, Metro wants you to be on the lookout for a few other things, this weekend and beyond.
Beacon Hill
Historic homes and hidden hideaways make this a ghostly neighborhood perfect for a Halloween stroll. But be careful where you step going door-to-door — trash and rats rule the night. Garbage day sees trucks try to drive tight lanes without clipping parked cars and the sidewalks are so thin that the bags placed there make walking treacherous.
Trick or treat?
Trick: Wash any loose rat droppings from your kid’s candy before ingesting.
Mission Hill
If you desire cheap beer instead of hard candy, this is the neighborhood. At the start of every school year Boston Police officers target house parties in the area, many filled with underage drinkers. On one September night police made four arrests at one party, went two blocks over and arrested four more.
Trick or Treat? Treat: Bring a big, sturdy bag so you can grab the beer when the party is busted up. This is going to be the best Halloween ever!
Central Square, Cambridge
Here you might get your tricks for cash and your treats in a vial. Despite many improvements to this once-seedy square, there is evidence it has yet to shed its past. Last month a lengthy investigation led to the arrest of 18 drug dealers or buyers here. It’s best to stick with the homes in nearby Cambridgeport.
Trick or Treat? Treat. Central Square actually has a ton to offer. Just limit yourself to candy.
