A Saturday night Halloween no treat for police, hospitals
Halloween is always a busy night for law enforcement, when rowdy revelers take to the streets, often resulting in violent or drunk incidents. With this year’s trick-or-treat night landing on a warm Saturday, local police are girding for particularly boisterous celebrating.
The traditional fete of zombies, witches, and ghouls has moved beyond child’s play in recent years, said Boston police Superintendent William Evans, with more costumed young professionals and college students taking the celebration to a new - sometimes dangerous - level .
“Halloween seems to be getting bigger and bigger, and it’s no longer a kids event,’’ Evans said. “I don’t worry about the kids. I worry about the out-of-control behavior’’ by the older crowd.
To keep the calm, Boston police will put on a strong show of force throughout the neighborhoods, on residential streets and in commercial districts.
Evans said officers will target problem spots - such as the Fenway, South Boston, the North End, and Allston-Brighton - where the college crowd tends to throw bashes.
Police said last night that there were no unusual problems.
In Salem, authorities are expecting more than 80,000 to visit its haunted houses, watch fireworks, and listen to music during this weekend’s Halloween Happenings downtown. And police are ready for trouble.
An additional 200 officers will be at work keeping the peace, including officers from Peabody, Marblehead, Waltham, and other nearby communities. Officers, some in plainclothes, will roam the crowds and nearby streets on foot, bicycle, motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, and possibly horse, said Lieutenant Conrad Prosniewski, Salem police spokesman.
Because Halloween fell on a Friday last year, Salem has had recent practice keeping the weekend trouble-free, he said.
“We are expecting a big crowd in Salem,’’ Prosniewski said. “I think the message has gotten out that this is a family event; this isn’t a frat party or a public booze fest. Public drinking is not tolerated at all.’’
Last night Salem police reported no widespread problems.
Walpole’s daytime parade and nighttime trick-or-treating also will get the full police treatment today - or as much as the department can pay for, said Police Chief Richard Stillman.
Stillman will add five officers during the parade, for a total of nine on the shift, and have a full staff of six for the night event. He said he would like to add more officers to keep an eye on things, but can’t afford to because of state funding cuts.
“We are praying for rain,’’ he said in jest.
In Somerville, officials plan to swing into their Halloween routine, with night crossing guards, more volunteer officers, and extra officers on motorcycles.
“We do this every Halloween,’’ said Deputy Chief Michael Cabral of the Somerville police.
Brockton’s police department also plans to send officers to residential streets and busy areas to monitor trick-or-treaters.
“Last year Halloween was on a Friday,’’ said Lieutenant John Crowley. “We didn’t have any problems. We don’t anticipate any this year, but we will be ready just in case.’’
That is also the message coming from area hospitals.
“We are prepared for whatever comes through our doors,’’ said Kirsten Boyd, who directs emergency services at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. “We have to.’’
Ron Walls, chairman of emergency medicine at Brigham and Women’s, acknowledged that the hospital may see a higher volume of revelers suffering from Halloween-related injuries.
“Any night can be trick-or-trick night in the emergency department,’’ he said. “We always have to be ready.’’
Meghan E. Irons can be reached mirons@globe.com. 
