"Devil's Night," the night before Halloween, is a time when some residents in Upper St. Clair experience vandalism each year.
District Judge Robert Wyda this year urges would-be vandals not to participate, especially because of the new Castle Doctrine law in Pennsylvania—a law which expands the homeowner's right to protect himself or herself with lethal force.
"I am very concerned that the new Castle Doctrine law could cause a trigger-happy citizen to prematurely hurt a kid whose motives are not criminal but purely mischievous," he said. "The law really changes how people view strangers."
Upper St. Clair police told Patch this summer that the township was experiencing a rash of vandalism that was "particularly destructive."
"It's no longer just mischievous fun for kids. It's now become damaging property and seriously annoying people," Wyda said.
Citizens convicted of vandalism in Upper St. Clair could ending up paying hundreds of dollars in fines and at worst—end up in jail.
Township Manager Matthew Serakowski said police would be conducting their normal patrols on "Devil's Night."
Last year, there was no school on Halloween. This year, class is scheduled.
The weather forecast on Tuesday night calls for a 100 percent chance of rain.
