It’s almost Halloween, and Missoula Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh said authorities are preparing for some of the misbehavior that occurs on Halloween night.

"Some people may take advantage of the numbers of people out and about to use that I guess in a sense to cover up crimes," Welsh said. "Criminal mischief is something that we run into quite often on Halloween. Garbage cans are overturned, soaping up windows is an old one that still occurs every once and while...egging houses."

Breaking pumpkins and toilet-papering property can be punishable offenses. Welsh says intent is at the heart of the matter.

"Every year there's things that people do when they're out late on Halloween. Some of them can be considered criminal offenses and a lot of it comes down to the intent," Welsh said. "That's part of what makes up any probable cause for an offense. Potentially there's property damage, or criminal mischief that may result, and potentially assault."

Welsh said it is important for drivers to be extra cautious while the streets are filled with trick or treaters and reminds everyone to drive sober.

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