“Keep Your Parents Home on Halloween,” Police Chief Says (65 Years Ago)

Exactly 65 years ago today, on Oct. 31, 1946, the front page of the weekly El Cerrito Journal carried a letter from the police chief telling kids to keep their parents home on Halloween. Here are some of the actual headlines from that day's front page, followed by our brief summaries of the articles:

Keep Your Parents Home on Halloween

A “Dear Kids” letter from Chief of Police Floyd M. Gilbert urged children to keep their parents home on this day. Its closing sentence said, “The spirit of Hallowe’en often times is reflected in a kittenish feeling on the part of your Mom and Dad, so keep an eye on them, and do the Police Department and your city the great big favor, by keeping them home with you!”

Water Company Will Maintain Disposal Plant

Following the state Department of Health ordering a halt to dumping raw sewage in the Bay, the El Cerrito City Council approved an assessment district for the water agency, East Bay Municipal Utility District, that would enable construction of a treatment plant to serve Richmond, San Pablo and the Stege Sanitary District.

Mayor Urges Observance for Air-mail

El Cerrito’s mayor, Melvin C. Heinkel, proclaimed this week as “Airmail Week,” in response to a request from the postmaster of El Cerrito and Richmond, L.J. Thomas. The postmaster pointed out the importance of airmail service and urged all citizens this week to take advantage of the speed and efficiency of mail carried by airplanes.

Police Report No “Porking” on Stockton

A “real, live, honest-to-goodness pig, without a price tag,” was reported making a dash for it up Stockton Avenue, police said. A police visit to the scene, however, failed to find the fugitive.

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