Gate Night/Mischief Night?

[Lari]

I moved to a new neighborhood (94521), walking distance to Clayton Valley High School, and I wonder if I need to be on guard the eve before Halloween - on 'Gate Night' or as some say,'Mischief Night'? We have a long fence along a corner lot and someone recently added their initials to the fence (we removed it easily), but it just gets me wondering if I have to be on guard all night. My old nabe was a bit 'swankier' and we lived up on a steep hill with only two other houses, so I just wonder...guess I'll just ask my new neighbors. What's been your experience on the eve before Hallowen?

[Destructor]

The initials that were written on your fence were most likely a way left by a gang to mark a house ("tag") to target on gate night. I used to live in your neighborhood and Gate Night was on of the reasons I moved away. My house was never damaged very badly but I just couldn't take another year of stress worrying if my house would be burned down or badly vandalized.

[Victim]

Had our own pumpkin smashed on our house wall. Surprisingly we found out a few days later when the purpetrator confessed arrogantly. We were in elementary school...he was a bully in either Jr. High or High School. Wonder what he's up to now? Probably in prison or recently released. Actions performed at a young age usually carry on into adulthood. Where were his parents in all this? He was probably from a dysfunctional family...what a loser.