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Devil's Night

Devil's Night is one name associated with October 30, the night before Halloween, particularly used in the Metro Detroit region of Michigan in the United States. On "Devil's Night", an unusually high number of mischievous acts, ranging from minor vandalism to more serious crimes like arson, are reported.

In some recent years, as many as 300 fires used to be set in the city of Detroit on this night, a much higher number than would be typical.

Several years ago, Detroit city officials organized and created Angel's Night on and around October 30. Each year, as many as 40,000 volunteers are gathered to patrol neighborhoods and prevent crime. Additionally youth curfews of as early as 6 pm are instituted on the days preceding Halloween. In the last few years, as a result, the 2-day period can now be the only time Detroit can boldly declaire itself as Americas Safest City.

Devil's Night was fictionalized in the movie The Crow. The term is rarely used in local news reports, but still well-known by Michigan residents. The news media in Detroit now refers to the night as Angel's Night in an effort to boost the efforts of the volunteers. In other cities in the state, such as Lansing, Flint, Kalamazoo, and Traverse City, the night is still referred to as Devil's Night by the media.


Devil's Night is also the name of an album by the band D12.

Last updated: 05-07-2005 12:48:17
Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04