Tonight is Devil’s Night, the night before Halloween. Originating from European traditions like Mischief Night or local folklore, this night traditionally involved harmless pranks like soaping windows, toilet papering trees, or ringing doorbells. However, beginning in the late 20th-century around Detroit, the tradition escalated into massive waves of deliberate arson and property destruction, prompting citywide volunteer watches like Angel’s Night to curb the damage.

The Detroit area vandalism was peaking about the time that Anne and I moved from Michigan to Saint Louis. A few years later when we purchased a house here, the destruction of property was still going on. I can remember pulling the cars into the driveway, lighting exterior lights and generally keeping an eye on things. Nothing ever happened and with time my anxiety faded.

Devil’s night is the first night of the three-night spooky trifecta, Devil’s night, Halloween and Día de Muertos. Mostly this scary season is supposed to be fun. There are also religious overtones and of course the whole fright night thing. Stay safe. No devil worshipping please and have a happy Halloween. Trick or treat!