Boisterous Halloween revelers flock to Salem

Police estimate crowd at more than 100,000

SALEM - More than 100,000 Halloween revelers flocked to the state's most bewitching city last night despite a huge police presence and tripled fines for bad behavior in an effort to curb any disturbances.

Dispersed among the rowdy crowd were 250 police officers from Salem, Marblehead, Hamilton, Wenham, Beverly, Peabody, Danvers, and Swampscott, as well as transit police at the commuter rail station, and a motorcycle unit at the corner of Essex and Washington streets, one of the larger centers in the city. A number of roads were also blocked off.

Salem police Lieutenant Scott Englehardt said that 11 people were arrested and 14 were taken into protective custody. The arrests included operating a scooter under the influence, drunken disorderly conduct, and violation of a restraining order. Last year there were 21 people arrested.

Salem police tripled fines for disorderly conduct, loitering, drinking in public, noise violations, and possession of a weapon. The fines ran as high as $300.

Cathy Griffin brought her 13-month-old daughter Sabrina to the festivities. Griffin, of Peabody, has been joining the festivities in Salem on Halloween for the past 10 years.

Sabrina, who received her name because she was born in Salem, was dressed in a fluffy velour pink pig costume.

"We're not worried about her being scared. She's enjoying it all and taking it all in," Griffin said, as admirers took pictures of the wide-eyed child.

The streets resembled Main Street at Disney World, with people posing for photos with their favorite characters.

A sea of costumed people flooded the streets, including two dressed as monsters whose faces resembled melted candle wax, a group of friends dressed as characters from Alice in Wonderland, Tom Brady on crutches, and a drag version of Marie Antoinette with a companion dressed as a piece of cake.

Jokers, Sarah Palins, and of course, witches, were prevalent among the crowds.

Naomi Shapiro, manager of Army Barracks on Washington Street, said her store's sales had dropped since last October, but she hoped to make up for it last night.

Shapiro said the store stocks up on items and has every worker helping on Halloween.

She said she thinks beefing up security is a good idea after two stabbings last year.

Jason Ball and a friend dressed as large foam tiki shamans that Ball's mother spent a month making especially for the occasion.

Ball said his mom, Jean Gagnot, has made his attention-getting costumes every Halloween since he was born in Salem 36 years ago. In the past, he's dressed as Jack Sparrow and a purple people eater.

Later last night, the streets were strewn with garbage as a crowd hooted and hollered at each other.

At one point, police swarmed the town common because a group of teenagers were stripping on the dome as "C'mon 'N Ride It (The Train)" played in the background. None of the teens were arrested.