'Devil's Night' Touched By Angels

Officials in Detroit are calling their efforts to curb Halloween eve arsons a success.

Officials say the city is another step away from the stigma of multiple arsons that have tarnished past Halloweens, when the Halloween period was called Devil's Night.

About 30,000 people began patrolling neighborhoods Sunday night. They'll patrol through Tuesday night, watching out for arsonists and curfew violators.

In 1994, Mayor Dennis Archer's first year in office, there were 354 fires during the Halloween period. Last year, 123 fires were reported on Halloween and the preceding night, which city leaders now call Angels' Night. About 65 fires are reported during a typical 24-hour period.

The number of fires last night is in line with last year's Angels' Night. Exact figures aren't available yet.

Meanwhile, the curfew for children under the age of 17 is from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Tuesday. At least 81 youths were detained on curfew charges overnight.