Harvard, City Police Prepare for Halloween

To children, Halloween means ghosts, ghouls, lighted pumpkins and candy.

But to Harvard University and Cambridge police officers, the evening of festivities requires increased security and awareness.

Tonight, the Harvard police presence will be no larger than usual, but there will be "increased vigilance," said University Police Chief Paul E. Johnson.

"Our people have been informed about certain types of things--defacing buildings and parties here and there," Johnson said.

But the Harvard police are expecting no extraordinary problems, Johnson said.

Officers hope that Halloween's "emphasis on the ghoulish kind of things" will "divert enough energy so the other malicious things don't occur," he said.

On the other hand, the Cambridge Police Department will beef up its forces tonight to prevent injuries or damage of any sort.

The department will have additional officers and squad cars on the streets, and police officers will have extra duties, said Henry W. Breen, a Cambridge Police captain.

A City Council order passed Monday called for "additional police presence" and "maximum police visibility."

"We want to make sure the kids see us," Cambridge Police Commissioner Perry L. Anderson said.

Police officers were also instructed to be extra cautious and aware tonight.

The units will be "on the lookout for young trick-or-treaters, also old ones, too," Anderson said.