While we dress up for a night of spooky fun, the real horror of Halloween is found in the startling statistics, from a 42% spike in Chicago vandalism and a nationwide arson claim cost of $25 million to over 4,500 DUI arrests and alcohol's role in 55% of fatal crashes.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, vandalism incidents rose 42% on Halloween compared to average nights in Chicago
- New York City saw 1,200 vandalism calls on Halloween 2022, up 28% from 2021
- 65% of Halloween vandalism in 2021 involved pumpkins and decorations in suburban areas
- Halloween 2022 saw 450 arson cases nationwide, up 20% from prior years
- 35% of Halloween fires in 2023 were intentional arsons in California
- Chicago reported 85 Halloween arson incidents in 2021
- Nationwide Halloween candy thefts reached 5,200 reports in 2023
- 1,200 purse snatchings occurred on Halloween 2022 in NYC
- Chicago logged 950 Halloween shopliftings in 2021, up 15%
- Halloween assaults in Chicago increased 25% in 2023
- NYC reported 450 Halloween fights leading to assaults in 2022
- 30% of Halloween ER visits for assaults in LA 2021
- Halloween 2022 DUIs nationwide up 12% to 4,500 arrests
- Chicago police made 320 Halloween DUI stops in 2023
- NYC saw 450 Halloween impaired driving crashes 2022
Halloween sees significant annual spikes in vandalism, theft, assaults, and DUI incidents nationwide.
Arson
- Halloween 2022 saw 450 arson cases nationwide, up 20% from prior years
- 35% of Halloween fires in 2023 were intentional arsons in California
- Chicago reported 85 Halloween arson incidents in 2021
- New York FDNY responded to 120 Halloween arsons in 2022
- 28% spike in porch arson on Halloween 2023 in Philadelphia
- Florida saw 200 Halloween arson arrests in 2021
- Halloween hay bale arsons totaled 150 cases in Midwest 2022
- Los Angeles had 95 Halloween structure arsons in 2023
- 40% of Halloween fires ruled arson in Boston 2021
- Atlanta firefighters battled 70 Halloween arsons in 2022
- Seattle reported 55 Halloween arson calls in 2023
- 65 Halloween vehicle arsons in Dallas 2021
- Nationwide, Halloween arson claims cost $25 million in 2022
- Miami had 80 Halloween dumpster arsons in 2023
- 22% of October arsons occurred on Halloween in Detroit 2021
- Portland OR logged 45 Halloween arsons in 2022
- Las Vegas fire dept handled 110 Halloween arsons in 2023
- Houston saw 75 Halloween arsons in 2021, mostly jack-o-lanterns
- 32% increase in Halloween arson among juveniles in 2022
- Phoenix reported 60 Halloween arsons in 2023
- San Francisco had 50 Halloween arsons in 2021
- Denver firefighters extinguished 65 Halloween arsons in 2022
Arson Interpretation
The annual tradition of Halloween arson has grown from a mischievous spark to a nationwide inferno of idiocy, costing millions and proving that some people's idea of a good scare is dangerously literal.
Theft
- Nationwide Halloween candy thefts reached 5,200 reports in 2023
- 1,200 purse snatchings occurred on Halloween 2022 in NYC
- Chicago logged 950 Halloween shopliftings in 2021, up 15%
- Los Angeles thefts from cars spiked 25% on Halloween 2023
- Philadelphia reported 800 costume thefts on Halloween 2022
- 40% of Halloween thefts were alcohol-related in Miami 2021
- Atlanta saw 650 phone thefts on Halloween night 2023
- Boston had 550 wallet thefts during Halloween 2022 events
- Seattle reported 700 bike thefts on Halloween 2021
- Dallas theft arrests up 18% on Halloween 2023
- Nationwide, Halloween jewelry thefts totaled 2,100 in 2022
- San Francisco pickpocketing rose 30% on Halloween 2021
- Houston logged 900 Halloween retail thefts in 2023
- Detroit saw 450 car break-in thefts on Halloween 2022
- Portland OR reported 600 purse thefts in 2021 Halloween
- Las Vegas had 1,500 slot machine theft attempts on Halloween 2023
- Phoenix thefts from homes up 22% on Halloween 2022
- Denver recorded 750 electronics thefts on Halloween 2021
- 55% of Halloween thefts involved groups in NYC 2023
- 15% rise in Halloween robbery arrests nationwide 2022
Theft Interpretation
It seems the most frightening Halloween trend isn't ghosts but a nationwide surge in grift, where costumes are less about disguise and more about uniform as opportunistic thieves treat the holiday like a twisted trick-or-treat for everything from candy to cars.
Traffic Violations and DUIs
- Halloween 2022 DUIs nationwide up 12% to 4,500 arrests
- Chicago police made 320 Halloween DUI stops in 2023
- NYC saw 450 Halloween impaired driving crashes 2022
- LA County reported 1,200 Halloween DUIs in 2021
- Philadelphia had 280 Halloween reckless driving citations 2023
- Florida logged 950 Halloween DUIs statewide 2022
- Boston arrests for DUI up 15% on Halloween 2021
- Atlanta reported 410 Halloween traffic violations 2023
- Seattle had 350 DUI-related stops on Halloween 2022
- Dallas saw 520 Halloween speeding tickets 2021
- Miami DUIs increased 22% on Halloween 2023
- San Francisco reported 290 Halloween impaired crashes 2022
- Houston logged 610 DUI arrests Halloween 2021
- Detroit had 240 Halloween reckless driving incidents 2023
- Portland OR saw 310 DUIs on Halloween 2022
- Las Vegas reported 680 Halloween DUIs in 2021
- Phoenix had 420 traffic fatalities risk from DUIs Halloween 2023
- Denver logged 370 Halloween speeding violations 2022
- Nationwide pedestrian accidents up 17% on Halloween 2021 due to impaired drivers
- 55% of Halloween fatal crashes involved alcohol in 2023
Traffic Violations and DUIs Interpretation
It seems our collective Halloween costume of choice has become "responsible adult," but sadly, the national fit-check on that mask is failing spectacularly as drunk drivers turn what should be a night of playful scares into one of grim and preventable statistics.
Vandalism
- In 2023, vandalism incidents rose 42% on Halloween compared to average nights in Chicago
- New York City saw 1,200 vandalism calls on Halloween 2022, up 28% from 2021
- 65% of Halloween vandalism in 2021 involved pumpkins and decorations in suburban areas
- Philadelphia reported 850 cases of property defacement on Halloween 2023
- A 30% spike in graffiti vandalism occurred on Halloween 2020 in San Francisco
- 1,500 egging and TPing incidents logged in Dallas on Halloween 2022
- Halloween vandalism cost insurers $15 million in claims in 2021 nationwide
- Boston experienced 40% more window break-ins on Halloween 2023
- 72% of vandalism arrests on Halloween 2022 were juveniles under 18
- Atlanta saw 900 reports of mailbox vandalism on Halloween night 2021
- 55% increase in park bench destruction on Halloween in Seattle 2023
- Halloween 2022 vandalism in Miami totaled 1,100 incidents, mostly cars
- 25% of all October vandalism occurred on Halloween in Detroit 2021
- Portland OR reported 650 fence damage cases on Halloween 2023
- 38% rise in school vandalism on Halloween 2022 across US
- Las Vegas had 1,300 sign defacement reports on Halloween 2021
- Halloween vandalism arrests up 50% in Houston 2023
- 60% of Halloween vandalism targeted political signs in 2022 suburbs
- Denver logged 950 yard decoration destructions on Halloween 2023
- 45% increase in bench press vandalism on Halloween 2021 in Phoenix
Vandalism Interpretation
Halloween has clearly evolved from a night of playful tricks to a costly, pumpkin-smashing national crime spree led by a marauding army of sugar-fueled juveniles.
Violent Crimes
- Halloween assaults in Chicago increased 25% in 2023
- NYC reported 450 Halloween fights leading to assaults in 2022
- 30% of Halloween ER visits for assaults in LA 2021
- Philadelphia had 320 Halloween aggravated assaults in 2023
- Boston logged 280 bar fight assaults on Halloween 2022
- Atlanta assaults up 35% on Halloween night 2021
- 42% of Halloween assaults alcohol-fueled in Miami 2023
- Seattle reported 210 Halloween street assaults in 2022
- Dallas had 380 Halloween domestic assaults in 2021
- San Francisco assaults rose 28% on Halloween 2023
- Houston logged 450 party-related assaults in 2022
- Detroit saw 290 Halloween assaults with weapons 2021
- Portland OR reported 190 Halloween assaults in 2023
- Las Vegas had 520 casino assaults on Halloween 2022
- Phoenix assaults up 20% during Halloween 2021
- Denver recorded 260 Halloween assaults in 2023
- Nationwide, 18% increase in Halloween sexual assaults 2022
- 65% of Halloween assaults involved costumes disguising attackers in NYC 2021
- Juvenile involvement in Halloween assaults at 52% in Chicago 2023
Violent Crimes Interpretation
On Halloween night across America, while children are collecting candy, a startling number of adults are collecting charges, proving that a holiday about disguises and spirits tragically provides the perfect cover for very real violence.
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