Halloween is a time for creating fun costumes, filling bags with free candy, telling scary stories and for some, going ghost hunting. But with all the talk about Easton's Union Cemetery, which some call one of the most haunted in the country, police and the cemetery owners are warning anyone who is thinking about sneaking in to stay away.
Though police patrol year-round near Union Cemetery, located near Stepney and Sport Hill roads, security is being ramped up for the Halloween holiday, said Joe Silhavy, who manages the property.
Many visit the graveyard, hoping to catch a glimpse of "the white lady," an unidentified spirit dressed in period clothing who is said to roam the cemetery and the nearby roads. But this Halloween, if you try to sneak a peek within the gates between sundown and sunset, you may see a ticket for simple trespass or the back of a police car.
Silhavy said police will be paying close attention to the cemetery, which has stones confirmed to date to the 1760s, throughout the night. Silhavy himself also will be keeping an eye out. Any cars parked at or near the cemetery will have their license plates reported to police.
The patrols are increased to prevent vandalism, which he said can be a problem this time of year.
As to whether he's ever seen "the white lady" or any other ghostly activity: "I'll see it when I believe it," Silhavy said with a laugh. He said he has been inside the gates at all times of day and night and has never seen any paranormal activity.
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