Salem police say gang members arrested

SALEM -- Four reputed members of the Bloods street gang from Chelsea were arrested last night at the commuter rail station, before they could reach -- and possibly disrupt -- the city's Halloween celebration, police said.

Acting on a tip from Chelsea police, Salem police met the 6:49 p.m. train as 15 reputed gang members got off. After questioning, four of them were arrested for illegal possession of knives, flare guns, and marijuana, police said.

"We were able to act swiftly and intercept any trouble," Salem Police Chief Robert M. St. Pierre said. "We could not have done it without Chelsea police sharing their intelligence with us."

The names of those arrested were not available at press time. But all four are expected to be arraigned today in Salem District Court. The other 11 reputed gang members were sent back to Chelsea on a train, St. Pierre said.

The arrests were made as Salem police were on high alert, after intelligence from police in other North Shore towns indicated that rival gangs planned to disrupt the Witch City's annual Halloween celebration, which drew an estimated 60,000 revelers, many of them in costume.

A record 250 law enforcement officials, including probation officers familiar with gang members, patrolled the city's downtown most of yesterday. Police from several North Shore communities patrolled on foot, bicycles, and in golf carts. Boston police on horseback helped to disperse crowds. At least 35 people were arrested, including many for drinking in public, police said.

Police were investigating a stabbing at the intersection of Margin and Endicott streets as festivities broke up. No details were available.

Rumors of gang violence and increased security did not spoil Halloween for partygoers. Dressed as witches, sumo wrestlers, red devils, and Superman, people danced in the streets to the songs "Ghostbusters" and "The Monster Mash."

Jen Rogalski, 21, of Danvers, a college student dressed as a "hot, sexy devil," said that "Salem is a blast on Halloween."

"Anytime this many people get together, it's always possible trouble can start," she said. "But I just think most people come here to have fun."

Kathy McCabe can be reached at kmccabe@globe.com