NORTHERN VALLEY AND PASCACK VALLEY AREAS, N.J.—Call it whatever name you prefer—Cabbage Night, Mischief Night or Goosey Night—but police officials say it appears the night before Halloween has become less frightful than in years past.
While some residents may awake to neighborhood trees strewn with toilet paper and silly string, soap or egg yolks on parked cars Oct. 31, most high-ranking police officials say local curfews on teens under 18 seems to have dramatically reduced misadventures, vandalism and property destruction so common a decade or two ago.
In addition, prior to Halloween Oct. 31, many towns and organizations sponsor safe and fun alternatives to Halloween trick-and-treating such as “Trunk and Treat” events for youngsters to get candy without having to roam neighborhoods ringing doorbells to seek a full bag of goodies.
Park Ridge Police Chief Joseph Madden said for nearly three decades the borough has imposed a 9 p.m. curfew on Mischief Night and Halloween. He said every year they notify local schools in advance and the borough has seen much less activity on those nights than decades ago.
He attributes that to help from parents, schools, education and enforcement by local officers, and the curfews.
He said an officer will speak to local youngsters on Oct. 30 to remind them “to do the right thing” regarding Cabbage Night, which “is really a made-up holiday,” said the chief.
‘Zero-tolerance policy’
In a letter sent to parents, Madden writes the police department has a “zero-tolerance policy” toward Mischief Night misbehavior or vandalism.
“Children leaving the home dressed in dark clothing and/or in possession of items such as eggs, shaving cream and other malicious items are historically a formula for trouble. This year we are recommending all parents to limit their children’s mischief to their own property,” wrote the chief.
“In the past, homes and moving vehicles have been the target of eggs, rocks and in some instances paintball guns. Toilet paper strewn across utility lines has also created visibility hazards which can easily lead to dangerous hazards for the motoring public and our children,” wrote Madden to parents.
He said the police force would include additional officers both days and was glad that Mischief Night and Halloween fell on school nights this year.
“We’re focused on both but more on Halloween and the safety of our kids that day,” he added.
In Tenafly, Police Chief Robert Chamberlain said the police department “has been very, very proactive for a long time” on Mischief Night and Halloween.
He said while more mischief may have occurred in the 1990s and early 2000s, the last decade or more has been down significantly in vandalism and other acts of property damage.
‘We’re evolving…’
“I’d like to think that we’re evolving and that parents have communicated to kids and educated them not to participate in this type of activity,” said Chamberlain. He said vandalism incidents have dropped due to involvement by parents, schools and stepped-up police enforcement.
“Parents have become more accountable and holding kids accountable, and I think our proactive [police] presence in the past has helped out” on Mischief Night, said the chief. He noted the school resource officer at Tenafly High School also helps to reach out to students and allow them to see another side of police officers. That can also help to reduce bad behavior, he said.
In River Vale, Police Chief Sean Scheidle said about 15 years ago, the township imposed an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and “we got great cooperation from parents.”
He said previously Mischief Night was a night when some local youngsters would go out to do damage to vehicles, set fire to piles of leaves, throw eggs at cars and homes, and let loose with shaving cream and toilet paper.
He said lately that’s occurred much less due in part to the curfew and police presence.
“It’s very minimal now and every year it seems to get better,” said the chief.
He said curfew information is posted on township social media and traffic message signs around town to remind residents.
River Vale Lt. John DeVoe said the township has sent a letter out—signed by the chief—to parents and schools about both Mischief Night and Halloween curfew as well as things to watch for.
“We’ve absolutely seen a decline in issues. Schools and parents have been very cooperative,” said DeVoe.
He said since 2009 the borough has sent a letter to highlight its zero-tolerance policy on misbehavior or criminal activity on Oct. 30 or Oct. 31.
A Westwood police department administrator said the borough has a 9 p.m. curfew on Mischief Night and Halloween.
Westwood Sgt. Mark Foley said the fire horn sounds at 9 p.m. to signal curfew start and warn youngsters to head home on both nights.
“It’s not nearly what it used to be. It’s steadily declined in the last decade,” he said of Cabbage Night antics.
Foley said he remembered when he was a youth in Westwood, many streets were toilet papered following Mischief Night.
Foley credited parents with playing the key role in minimizing Mischief Night activities and with providing safer and fun alternatives to random vandalism.
In Cresskill, Mayor Benedict Romeo sent a letter to the editor noting a 9 p.m. curfew for kids under 18 on Cabbage Night and Halloween “for the safety of our children.”
The mayor also urged parents to examine candy items provided to children “to ensure they are safe for consumption.”
‘Take necessary precautions’
Romeo said “in past years, some problems have developed with young people not living in Cresskill causing damage and physically assaulting Cresskill residents. It is important that parents are aware of this and take necessary precautions to protect their children,” he wrote.
In Hillsdale, Police Capt. Sean Smith said the borough initiated an 8 p.m. curfew the last few years and since then “it’s been relatively quiet. We talk to the parents, schools, and kids and let them know that basically we have a no-tolerance policy on ‘Cabbage Night,’” he said.
Smith said the fire siren sounds at 8 p.m. to alert residents to curfew time.
He said years ago, certain streets in town were hit regularly with toilet paper and shaving cream and some mischievous individuals even used packing tape on trees.
He said police provide educational sessions for youngsters about dos and don’ts on Cabbage Night and Halloween.
Smith said police provide glow sticks for younger kids for safety while trick or treating and said police “don’t anticipate” any issues on Oct. 30.
“I think it’s a fading tradition,” Smith said of Cabbage Night.
He theorized back-to-back years where Halloween had to be cancelled following severe weather events—Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and a late October snowfall in 2013—may have taken a toll on Cabbage Night, too.
‘Selective patrol tactics’
In Englewood, Deputy Police Chief Greg Halstead said the city does not have a curfew on Mischief Night or Halloween. He said over the years, “selective patrol tactics have proven successful as have increased positive department contact and interaction with the community, especially the youth.”
He said over the last few years, Englewood police officers have begun to meet and interact with youngsters on Palisade Avenue while handing out treats and candy.
“Things have steadily improved over the past several years and parents and youths alike are more receptive to engaging the police in dialogue and activities. We have definitely seen a positive upswing in the past few years,” emailed Halstead.
Demarest Police Chief Chris Bianchi said the borough is “usually pretty quiet” though the department adds extra officers on shifts for Mischief Night and Halloween. The borough also has no curfews, said Bianchi.