Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 04/98) - Jail was a popular place Halloween night.

At least it was this year for more than 40 people who spent the night in cells after being arrested for public intoxication. And 15 of those were arrested at the alcohol-free Spookarama event for teens.

Staff Sgt. Marlin Degrand said police were unusually busy on Saturday night.

"No charges were laid -- a great number of people were arrested for being drunk and disorderly," he said. But, surprisingly, added Degrand, none of those arrested were in costume for the event.

"We didn't have anybody in cells in costume --that really shocked us," he said.

Spookarama organizer Tony Sunderland said the event went well except for some minor difficulties.

"It's a worthwhile event," he said. "Police were there all night."

Sunderland also said 500 youths attended the event, down from the 1,000 who usually attended in previous years.

Of the 43 arrested, eight were female young offenders and six female offenders taken into custody at Spookarama. One 20-year-old was also arrested at the teen party.

Degrand said police and Spookarama volunteers made it a top priority to keep the event dry.

"That's why there was a low tolerance (for alcohol)," he said. "We obviously wanted to keep that event dry for the city's youth. Overall, I think it went well."

Sunderland said the event, despite the number of youths arrested for drinking under age, kept teens away from the downtown area.

"We've been doing this for 20 years now. We had no scuffles or fights," he added.