Salem Halloween 2023: 'Second Police Department' Deployed This October For Downtown Crowds

SALEM, MA — Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller said what amounts to a "second police department to police Downtown Salem" is created for October each year as the Witch City looks to deal with the wicked crowds headed to Halloween's unofficial hometown.

With up to 1 million visitors expected this month, including 100,000 or more on weekends depending on weather, the city is bracing for the annual descending of decadence while still maintaining services for its residents over the next four weeks.

"Because of the number of crowds, and the traffic, getting around downtown becomes very, very difficult," Miller said during a Tuesday news conference. "And the volume of calls increases
dramatically. We also want to be able to retain our ability to respond to activity outside of the downtown area.

"If you don't live downtown you may have a need to call the police and you deserve a swift police response during Halloween."

(Also on Patch: Salem Halloween 2023: MBTA Adds Boston, Beverly Trains To Witch City)

Miller said the "second police department" includes a separate dispatch, separate patrols and separate commanders from what goes on in the rest of the city. He said most of those patrols are done on foot, bicycle and other "non-standard vehicles."

"We do our best to keep life as normal for Salem residents as possible during this month," Miller said. "It is something of a burden. But I think I can speak for most of the residents when I say that we welcome visitors for Halloween — but not your cars."

Miller said the need to shut down streets and bar off parking spots is for the safety of pedestrians and to prevent gridlock for a city of 45,000 that can grow up to three times on nice October weekend days.

"Getting stuck in traffic when you are not even in the city of Salem yet is not as fun as taking the train," he said.

Miller added that those who decide to dress up for their visit must adhere to a strict "no weapons" policy (real or fake ones) and that drones are prohibited.

The news conference was part of the city's public plea to visitors not to drive to downtown Salem this weekend — or any other weekend and most weekdays until November and — with dozens of MBTA commuter rail routes to and from Boston and Beverly being added for the month, including late-night service, and the Salem Ferry moving from a 150-person capacity boat to 600-person capacity in the coming weeks.

"We love welcoming people to Salem," Salem Mayor Domonick Pangallo said. "It's a fun part of our economy. It's the way we tell our story and tell our history. But we encourage you to visit responsibly if you are here. If you are visiting Salem we ask for your assistance in respecting our downtown residents, please follow all the posted signs you see about all the parking restrictions and about noise limitations.

"Salem is a hometown to many of us. We love it here. We think you will as well. But if you are planning to visit please do it responsibly."

Pangallo noted that parking tickets have increased this year to offset those who would rather pay the fine than deal with public transportation or one of the city's three free shuttle satellite lots at Salem Hospital, Salem High School and Salem State University.

"It's $ 10 (round trip) to take the train (on weekends)," he said. "It's going to cost you $50 to park in Salem — $75 if you get a ticket — so it's definitely a better deal."

Pangallo said last year's visitation was estimated to be up 35 from pre-COVID-19 levels in 2019 and that similar crowds are expected this month.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)