Police Prepare for Night of Mischief

If your kids are thinking of bringing out the toilet paper and shaving cream and causing mischief around the tri-boro Sunday night, have them think again.

and are stepping up patrols in marked and unmarked cars to ensure everyone's safety during what's known in the tri-boro as "Goosey Night."

"Goosey Night," or "Mischief Night" as it is called in other places, is historically the night before Halloween when teenagers and younger cause mischief around their neighborhoods. Most commonly in Kinnelon, according to Kinnelon Police Lt. John Schwartz, this has involved throwing toilet paper in the trees, leaving shaving cream on car windows or ringing doorbells. But sometimes the mischief is more harmful.

"We've had assaults, we've had fights between homeowners and mischief-doers," said Schwartz.

Schwartz said Kinnelon police have also seen people lighting leaves on fire and throwing objects at car windows.

"It sounds like a harmless event, but we're very, very busy that night," he said.

As a result, Schwartz said there will be extra patrols out "just to make sure everybody stays safe." He also said that if the police do see people walking around they will interact with them.

"We probably interact with well over 100 people," he said.

In Butler, Capt. Ciro Chimento said the borough has typically not seen a large amount of activity on "Goosey Night."

"The past couple years have been exceptionally quiet," he said. "We've had a couple of isolated groups of youths with some toilet paper and some eggs but other than that, it's been very, very quiet."

Chimento said Butler will also have increased patrols in marked and unmarked cars on Sunday.

"If, in fact, we find a group committing some mischief, we'll confiscate the toilet paper and, let's say, shaving cream involved," he said.

Both Schwartz and Chimento said that parents can help curb the mischief on Sunday.

"I believe the trend has become where parents have become a bit more responsible and are not allowing them to go out so late and cause mischief," said Chimento.

Schwartz said being aware of what their teenagers are doing can also help.

"Parents, know where your kids are. Keep your highschooler home," he said. "If they're going out, they're going out for one reason and it's not always harmless."