Detroit Curfew Takes Aim at ‘Devil’s Night’ Arsonists

The city is mounting an assault to fight “Devil’s Night” arsonists who last year set hundreds of fires in the nation’s sixth-largest city on the night before Halloween.

Mayor Coleman Young announced a program Friday called “No More Devil’s Night,” which will include a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew during the last three nights of the month for those under 18.

“As we examined last year’s data, it is clear that a substantial number of the fires were set between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.,” Young said. “A significant number of those fires were nuisance fires set in dumpsters, cars and vacant buildings.

“The data also indicated that those types of fires were concentrated in areas near middle schools, suggesting that they were being set by the age group that will be affected by the curfew,” he added.

The city reported that over the last three days of October last year, arsonists set 479 fires, including 64 in occupied dwellings and 153 in rubbish. The number of fires was down 41% from the year before.

“Last year with the help of police and fire department personnel, citizen volunteers and other city employees we made a substantial reduction in the number of fires,” Young said. “We are taking what we learned last year and are adding to it in the belief we can achieve another reduction this year.”

Besides the curfew, this year’s effort includes more police and firefighters on duty and requests that city residents turn on outside lights at night, keep trash out of alleys, watch neighbors’ property and report the location of any vacant buildings before Wednesday.