SALEM — Salem police are gearing up for what they expect will be the largest Halloween crowds in city history.
With the holiday falling on a Sunday and no major storms in the forecast, the three-day weekend looks to be one long and seemingly endless costume party.
"Given the weather forecast, I would expect it's going to be mobbed here this weekend," said Capt. Brian Gilligan, who is in charge of a combined regional force that, on Halloween day, will exceed 200 officers.
Although tomorrow night will be handled by Salem police, reinforcements will arrive for Saturday and Sunday, when the largest crowds are expected.
"I think there is certainly the potential for the crowd on Saturday to be as big as Sunday, and we have to be prepared for that whether it happens or not," Gilligan said.
Unlike weekday Halloweens, when many people are at work during the day and the largest crowds arrive in the evening, this weekend celebration is expected to start by late morning and keep growing.
On Saturday and Sunday, there will be police everywhere: on the street, directing traffic, working undercover, in patrol cars, riding bikes and motorcycles, on horseback and ATVs, with canine teams, and as part of special tactical forces.
But after years of dealing with Halloween crowds, Salem police appear to have the annual celebration down to a science. They will split the city into five divisions, each with its own command staff, street officers, canine teams, ambulance crews and other support.
As in past years, the Salem police force will get help from a number of outside sources. The largest contingent is coming from the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, which is made up of departments around the region. NEMLEC will send a 40-officer rapid response team and a large motorcycle contingent on Halloween day.
The Essex County Sheriff's Department is sending a tactical response team and canine officers.
As in past years, there will be a mounted police force of six to eight horses. But, with Boston's famed mounted unit now defunct, most of the horses are being supplied by the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department.
In addition, neighboring police departments are helping, led by Peabody, which will send 18 officers.
Roads are scheduled to be shut down Sunday by late afternoon. As in past years, streets will be closed in the area between Summer Street (Rte. 114) and Hawthorne Boulevard and between Derby and Bridge streets.
On Saturday, road closures will be a "game-time" decision.
"We're going to play it by ear and try to keep the roads open as long as possible," Gilligan said.
At the conclusion of the monthlong festival on Halloween night, police will start shutting the city down by 10 p.m. Although customers can stay inside bars until closing, lines outside will be dispersed.
The final act on the Washington Street main stage, which is hosted by Boston radio station 92.9, will wind down by 10. The music will be followed immediately by fireworks over the North River, a sign the Halloween party is over.
While not wanting to jinx himself, Gilligan noted that Halloween has been largely a family event the past few years with well-behaved crowds that left at 10 p.m. He expects that to happen again this year.
"We're not interested in it being a late-night frat party," he said.
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