October 26, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Ho-Ho-Kus Halloween curfew will be in force again this year by Jennifer Crusco Building on last year’s mischief-free Halloween celebration, the Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department will again be enforcing the “Goosey Night” curfew on Oct. 30. This year, the restrictions for minors will also be extended to Halloween, Oct. 31. “It worked like a charm last year, and we’re hoping it works again this year,” HoHo-Kus Police Chief John Wanamaker said of the curfew, which was originally instituted by a council resolution in 2010. Last year, the chief reported a minimal number of calls, which represented a significant decrease from previous years, when individuals engaged in mischief – and some more serious incidents – the night before Halloween. The curfew, which was approved as an ordinance in February 2011, runs from 7:30 pm. on Oct. 30 until 6 a.m. on Oct. 31, and from 8 p.m. on Oct. 31 to 6 a.m. on Nov. 1. The ordinance extended the hours and days of the 2010 curfew, which ran from 9 p.m. on Oct. 30 to 6 a.m. on Oct. 31. While the curfew is in effect, minors need an appropriate reason to be out or must be accompanied by an adult, Chief Wanamaker said. Specifically, the ordinance prohibits individuals under the age of 18 from being on any public street or any public place during the hours of the curfew, unless accompanied by his or her parent or guardian, unless that individual is engaged in, or traveling to or from a business or occupation the state laws authorize a juvenile to perform. During the curfew, minors will be permitted to run errands involving medical emergencies, participate in extracurricular school activities, or other cultural, educational, or social events sponsored by a religious or community-based organization. Public places include bridges, sidewalks, alleys, plazas, parks, recreation and shopping areas, public transportation facilities, vehicles used for public transportation, and parking lots. Although the night before Halloween has traditionally been dedicated to harmless pranks, borough officials said the “mischief” had become serious in recent years, with incidents that included property damage, and assault. Property damage extended to homes, mailboxes, and cars. The move to institute a curfew was rec- ommended by the police department and supported by Mayor Thomas Randall and the borough council. When the council was considering regulations for the borough last fall, Mayor Randall urged that Ho-Ho-Kus get in step with towns that have curfews so revelers from other areas would not attempt to take refuge in Ho-Ho-Kus. “It was very successful and helpful in keeping our town clean and in avoiding problems,” the mayor said, pointing to the success of last year’s curfew. The Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Council has decided to hold combination work and public sessions during the months of November and December. The November work/public session will be Nov. 22. The Council meeting dates announced December work/public session will be Dec. 20. Council meetings are held at 8 p.m. at borough hall, 333 Warren Avenue, HoHo-Kus.