Public and private schools in Boston circulated a message from Boston Police yesterday warning about an "uptick" in vandalism and other criminal acts by school-aged kids — and asking for increased vigilance on Halloween night. The advisory warns that teens and kids are by recruited through "social media sites" to join larger groups to cause "lawless and destructive behavior on Halloween."

"Specifically, social media outlets are being used to get students to participate in these groups on Friday, October 31, 2014. The social media outlets are advising students to ride bicycles, wear masks, and carry objects that may potentially be used as weapons," reads the message from Boston Police.

The MBTA's Transit Police also circulated a request through the schools, asking that passengers be alert for "rowdy, destructive" or other criminal acts during the Halloween weekend. The warning was sent to parents on Thursday afternoon via email.

"Passengers using the MBTA are requested to download the MBTA's 'See Something Say Something' App on their cell phones... to report suspicious behavior during the Halloween Weekend," the message said.

In an interview earlier this week with the Reporter, BPD Commissioner William Evans said that Boston Police were preparing for a busy night on Friday.

"Halloween is always a busy night for us," said Evans, who added that he was "praying for snow."