CRIME, POLICE + COURTS

Halloween is the second busiest night of the year for police

Oct 30, 2023, 3:00 PM | Updated: 3:15 pm

Halloween is the second busiest night of the year for police...

A witch and her guardian walk around Gardner Village in West Jordan on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. Halloween is the second busiest night of the year for police. The majority of calls will be drug and alcohol related, according to police. (Laura Seitz/Deseret News)

(Laura Seitz/Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — Halloween is the second busiest night of the year for police, rivaled only by The Fourth of July.

On Halloween, Corporal Colbey Bentley with the  Tooele Police Department said the majority of its calls will be for drug and alcohol issues.

However, Bentley said, the department does get a lot of calls about people who are taking the spooky holiday a bit too far. People often like to hide in bushes or dress up on their front porches and then pop out and scare people.

“Then they end up getting punched and we end up with an assault-type situation,”  said Bentley.

Another common call is people wearing a mask and following around a group of kids, according to Bentley. The scared Trick-Or-Treaters will then call the police about their stalker.  It’s the perfect storm because,  most likely, kids’ parents have just had a conversation with them about safety and ‘stranger danger,’  then a prankster decides following them will be a funny joke.

Trespassing also increases on Halloween night. People want to creep into someone’s yard and knock at the window to scare them.  Others will take a shortcut through a fence to catch someone off-guard.

However, police will get some relief this year since Halloween falls on a Tuesday.  The weeknight holidays seem to be much less trouble than those that fall on the weekend.

“People think, maybe I shouldn’t drink as much tonight. I can’t go into work hungover tomorrow. So it definitely does help,” said Bentley.

Bentley recommends parents talk with their teen and young adult children about appropriate ways to celebrate Halloween. Also, everyone should be aware of the increased pedestrians. Don’t drive distracted or impaired.

Devin Oldroyd contributed to this story.

Related: Halloween safety tips for costumes and your home

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Crime, Police + Courts

A Uintah County woman is accused of putting Borax in her children's water, allegedly to help their ...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Utah woman accused of putting Borax in her children’s water

Prosecutors say since the beginning of the school year in August, the suspect, Barbara Susan Williford, 47, "had been putting a pinch of Borax in her minor child's water."

12 hours ago

A Unified Police Department vehicle sits in a neighborhood in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Friday, Feb....

Michael Houck

SWAT arrests man suspected of robbing a Utah bank and sending threats to another

SALT LAKE CITY — A man is accused of robbing a bank and stealing a dollar amount to reference the 9/11 attacks. On Thursday, Unified police and the FBI were called to a robbery that happened at a Chase Bank on 2855 E, 3300 South in Millcreek. Witnesses told investigators that a white man with […]

15 hours ago

FILE — A Salt Lake City Police Department squad car. Salt Lake City Police Department’s Bike Sq...

Diana Jones

SLCPD officers arrest two people suspected of drug trafficking in Library Square

On Thursday, Salt Lake City Police Department’s Bike Squad arrested two men for suspected drug-trafficking operation in Library Square. 

2 days ago

FILE - A police vehicle flashes its lights. (Getty)...

Michael Houck

Pedestrian killed after being hit by a vehicle, Santa Clara-Ivins police say

A woman was fatally hit by a vehicle Friday evening, Santa Clara-Ivins police say.

3 days ago

Santa Clara murder charges...

Jacob Freeman

Charges brought against 15-year-old in Santa Clara murder case

A 15-year-old has been charged for killing a family member and wounding another in a Santa Clara home on Jan. 30.

4 days ago

FILE: A United States District Court emblem is seen in a courtroom in the Salt Lake City Federal Co...

Simone Seikaly

Former gymnastics coach pleads guilty to new charges involving cameras, bathrooms

Gymnastics coach Adam Richard Jacobs has plead guilty to putting a camera in a minor's hotel room and bathroom.

4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Halloween is the second busiest night of the year for police