Balmy weather boosts number - and spirits - on Halloween

Salem police estimated about 80,000 revelers converged on a city where the population is about 41,000. With the temperatures rising over 70 degrees and Halloween falling on a Saturday for the first time since 1998, police brought in reinforcements to ensure public safety.

More than 200 uniformed police officers patrolled yesterday among their costumed counterparts. A stiletto-clad officer strolled down the main drag and a handcuff-wielding dog sported a blue uniform.

Salem Police Lieutenant Conrad Prosniewski said early today that officers made numberous arrests, mostly for disorderly conduct. Police were also investigating two stabbings. Prosniewski said one man was stabbed on North Street and another on Ward Street. Both victims were expected to survive, and no arrests had been made.

In Boston, late afternoon festivities were marred when two men, ages 21 and 22, were shot and wounded in their legs on Norton Street. Small children in costumes were walking down the street with their parents in tow, as police scoured the area for evidence. Shell casings could be seen scattered on Norton Street near the corner of Bowdoin Street.

Deputy Police Superintendent Al Andres said that the two young men were shot about 4:30 p.m., and both were taken to the Boston Medical Center with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.

He said the shooting did not appear to be connected with Halloween festivities.

James Kenneally, a Boston Police Department spokesman, said police had no other reports of serious violent crime as of early evening.

Police in Quincy, Braintree, Framingham, Somerville, Chelsea, Springfield, Worcester, Newton, and Lawrence reported relative calm.

But in Arlington, Police Lieutenant Robert Bongiorno called the Halloween weekend “busy,’’ saying the holiday bustle contributed to four serious car crashes in that town. No one was killed in the accidents, but at least one driver was seriously injured, Bongiorno said.

In Salem, a helicopter hovered over the scene - a private donation to help police monitor mayhem, according to Prosniewski. For those who choose to indulge in tricks, fines for debauchery such as public drinking and disorderly conduct were tripled this weekend.

Fines for spray painting were $900 and for carrying a weapon-like object were $150.

Officers had to determine when guns and swords appeared too realistic, said Prosniewski.

“We can’t have soldiers carrying real rifles, even if there aren’t any bullets,’’ he said, adding that confiscated replicas are later returned to their owners.

On the streets yesterday afternoon, a crowd of pirates, hippies, and witches swarmed a trio of Ghostbusters for photo opportunities. More than one ghoulish passerby screamed out, “I ain’t afraid of no ghost.’’

Two women in elaborate Victorian dress, who had traveled to Salem from Portland, Ore., paused to pose with the Ghostbusters.

Katrina Acaster, 25, and her friend Molly Hill, 28, said they had spent about 20 hours crafting their ornate puffs and ruffles.

Hill, who wore a black hat complete with golf ball-size bird skulls and a pull-down veil, had packed two skirts, two bustles, four blouses, and a ball gown to dress up for their Halloween week in New England.

“Your feathers are hitting someone in the head, dear,’’ Hill said as Acaster adjusted her hat, which was covered with stuffed birds and had a foot-long pheasant feather protruding.

Matching vampires Kerry and Scott Dolpp had flown in from Buffalo to celebrate their first wedding anniversary in Salem.

“We’re expecting, so it’ll be our last one,’’ Kerry said through pointy fangs. She wore a black velvet and lace gown and her husband donned a cloak, with a gray ruffle peeking out.

In Brookline, the Party Favors store in Coolidge Corner was so mobbed with customers that the owners placed an imposing looking pirate at the front door to act as a guard. The store has been busy for weeks, employees said, but nothing like yesterday’s surge of last-minute shoppers.

The most popular costumes this year, according to the owner’s wife, Mary Lynn Pergantis, have been current event and politically themed with shoppers looking to dress up as ’“Octomom’’ Nadya Suleman as well as celebrity mother Kate Gosselin and the late King of Pop Michael Jackson.

John M. Guilfoil can be reached at jguilfoil@globe.com