6PM Angels' Night Curfew Starts Tonight In Detroit; Gasoline Restrictions In Effect
DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit's three-day Angels' Night anti-arson campaign is kicking off Saturday and a big part of the effort is a weekend curfew for all minors, who face arrest if they're caught out unsupervised.
The curfew hours are from 6 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 29 to 6 a.m. on Sunday Oct. 30, and from 6 p.m. on Sunday Oct. 30 to 6 a.m. on Monday Oct. 31.
During the curfew hours, anyone age 17 and younger has to be off the streets or face being arrested. Minors are allowed be out if they're going to work or an educational activity, but proof of attendance is required. Parents and guardians could also be on the hook for citations or fines if their child is detained.
To keep firebugs at bay during the Angels' Night period, the city of Detroit will again restrict the sale of gasoline and other fuel. From 12 a.m. on Thursday Oct. 27 through 11:59 p.m. on Monday Oct. 31, dispensing fuel into portable containers will be prohibited -- except for certain emergency situations for those 18 years of age and older.
Last year, Detroit experienced its most successful Angels' Night effort in history. The city registered a record low of 52 fires over the three-day period, down from 97 the year before. Of the 52 fires last year, 23 were deemed suspicious, most of which were in unoccupied structures.
The volunteer effort last year was also overwhelming. More than 4,191 active patrollers signed up and another 7,221 people volunteers to provide other forms of support, such as assisting in deployment centers or keeping their porch lights on.
How to get involved
This year's Angels' Night campaign includes several ways in which volunteers can get involved. Individuals are invited to:
• Watch Their Block – Volunteers are asked to carefully watch their block from their porch or window and be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary.
• Patrol A Neighborhood – Volunteer teams of two or more people patrol a two- to three-block radius around their neighborhoods or are assigned to patrol a specific neighborhood.
• Adopt A Vacant Property – Individuals agree to watch or adopt specific vacant buildings in city neighborhoods. "This Building Is Being Watched" signs are posted on adopted buildings.
• Turn On Their Porch Light – Volunteers are asked to turn on their porch lights, or any outdoor lights, between dusk and dawn.
City officials are also encouraging all residents to:
• Turn on outside lights at their homes from dusk until morning on each day of the Halloween period.
• Report any suspicious activity they observe to the Detroit Police Department by calling 9-1-1.
• Place garbage containers or bulk items at the curb before 7 a.m. on the morning of the collection day, rather than the night before, and remove refuse containers immediately after the trash is collected.
For more information, visit angelsnight.org or call 313-224-4415.
