Visitors received an eye-full of color and costumes this afternoon. Whether it was Jersey Shore’s Snooki or a group of the living dead, there was plenty to see.
Thousands of people took part. If they weren’t dressed, they were taking photos of the people who had.
Elix Cintron, who dressed as Snooki, said he comes every year to join in the revelry.
“It’s an experience of a lifetime,” he said.
A makeup artist who goes by the name Wolf of Leominster, Mass., came with six others who were dressed as the walking dead.
“Everyday is Halloween in Salem,” he said. “I’ve been coming here for a long time, and I look the same every year.”
If Wolf had his way, he’d like Halloween declared an official holiday, he said.
Elix Cintron of Norton, Mass. dressed as reality TV star Snooki from Jersey Shore.
A group of the “living dead” stop to have their photos taken with tourists.
Since yesterday, police have arrested 11 adults and 1 juvenile, according to Police Capt. Brian Gilligan. Eight more people were placed in protective custody, he said.
Overall, police have been busy, but, thankfully, the crowds have been largely well behaved. Today, approximately 200 to 250 police officers — from nearby communities, the Essex County Sheriff and elsewhere — will be patrolling Salem, according to the police captain.
Gilligan said the city has been inundated with car and pedestrian traffic. City officials have encouraged Halloween revelers to take advantage of public transportation though by the look of the congestion downtown not enough heeded their advice.
Salem Police have arrested seven people for disorderly conduct who were acting out on the street late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
Three others were arrested following a fight near Dodge and Lafayette streets.
Police also arrested someone on assault charges following an assault with a knife behind Steve’s Market on Margin Street. The victim was taken to the hospital with face lacerations, according to police.
There were also several people in protective custody at the Salem Police Station as of 12:30 a.m. and more people were being booked, according to Lt. Matt Desmond.
Please see Monday’s edition of The Salem News for more information.
