Steven Novak, an artist in Dallas, Texas put his skills to work and staged a bloody massacre scene in his front yard. What he didn’t expect was a visit from police because of his gory and realistic Halloween decor.
Novak told NBC News that he began decorating his home about six years ago at the request of his neighbors.
“As an artist, I’ve always got projects going on outside so my neighbors always see me making things,” he told NBC News. “They asked me when I was going to do something for Halloween and they finally talked me into it.”
At first, his decorations were mainly just ghosts and fog machines — your typical Halloween decor. However, he said it “slowly evolved into the hyperreal scene it is now.”
Staged Massacre

This year, Novak’s decor showcased a staged bloody massacre. Blood-covered dummies are scattered across his front yard, with each one appearing to have suffered a gruesome death.
The scene is complete with a bloody sidewalk, a wheelbarrow full of limbs, and what looks like a stuffed body bag.
While many celebrate his commitment to decor, others have complaints. NBC News reports that the Dallas Police Department was called to Novak’s home after receiving complaints about the scene. Novak told CBS11 he suspects the caller was a neighbor who lives across the street.

Fortunately, nothing came of the police visit. According to Novak, the officers thought the decorations were “great” and even took photos of his yard.
The complaints also aren’t scaring off Novak’s future decorating plans. He told NBC News that those with complaints will just have to wait for what he’s planning for next year.
“It’s just fun,” he said. “I think [decorating] cheers people up. Halloween is the perfect opportunity to put on a spectacle.”
Novak’s full Halloween display can be seen in the video below:
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