The night before Halloween has always been a night when kids could be kids and run amok for a little while tp’ing trees, and throwing shaving cream at each other.

Some of it lighthearted, but in a good many cases bordering on, if not outright criminal.

Reports of cars and homes being vandalized by roving bands of youths throwing eggs and the like usually make the news on the night before Halloween.

Hence law enforcement has always put in place a curfew for children under 18 not to be out past a certain hour…much to the delight of many townfolk who didn’t want to have to deal with the aftermath of cleaning up.

This year, with the news of the murder of 12 year old Autumn Pasquale of Clayton, and reports of luring incidents all over North Jersey…many more towns have jumped on the bandwagon and decided to enforce Mischief Night curfews.

Citing the rash of luring attempts across Bergen County and the shocking murder of a 12-year-old South Jersey girl, area police have begun issuing Halloween curfews.

New Milford Chief Frank Papapietro released a statement detailing the policy, which will require anyone under 18 to remain inside after 8 p.m. on Oct. 30 - known as "Mischief Night" - and Oct. 31.

Dumont Chief Brian Venezio has announced his intention to do the same, and Papapietro said other departments are considering curfews of their own.

Papapietro cited the large number of reported luring attempts against children, which have become nearly a daily occurrence across Bergen County. New Milford police alone have received four such reports since Thursday.

Youths will be allowed out during curfew hours if they are accompanied by an adult over the age of 21. Anyone found to be in violation will be held at police headquarters until an adult can pick them up.

Police are requesting that parents exercise extra caution while their children trick-or-treat prior to the curfew.

"I fully regret having to implement such measures but as the safety of the borough's children is in our hands, to ignore would recent display an unpardonable lack of judgment on our part," Papapietro said.

Many towns, such as Franklin Lakes, impose curfews on Halloween and "Mischief Night" annually, mainly to cut down on vandalism.

Can’t blame them. Better safe than sorry.

But let’s face it….what good is Mischief Night if the rules are as follows:

“Youths will be allowed out during curfew hours if they are accompanied by an adult over the age of 21.”

If you’re accompanied by an adult over the age of 21, unless that adult is the result of arrested adolescent development…that’s no fun!

Do you feel it’s buzzkill or prudent to institute curfews on Mischief Night this year?

 

And what are your memories of Mischief Nights back in the day?

I'd love to hear some of these gems!

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