With thoughts racing of costumes and candy, Troy’s goblins and ghouls are making preparations for this year’s Halloween festivities. As they look forward to a weekend full of spooktacular fun, Troy University Police Department (TUPD) stresses the importance of keeping safety in mind.
“Our students’ safety is always our number one priority for Troy University Police Department,” said Sgt. Rachel Farmer. “Halloween night always has more traffic because of trick or treating and parties.”
Among all the excitement of ghoulish parties and other Halloween activities, students may forget to act safely and responsibly.. Farmer said one of the biggest concerns is the consumption of alcohol.
“It’s important if you are going out to go in groups and have a designated driver for your safety and the safety of young children who will be out on Halloween night,” Farmer said.
“Do not drink and drive, monitor your drinks, be sure someone knows where you are going and when you will return and, if possible, travel in a group.”
“Safety is so important because it’s not just about your own protection; it's also about the protection of others,” said Area Director Anna Lei Singleton, a graduate accounting major from Wetumpka, Alabama. “College is a place to build community, meet new people and have a good time.
“We want everyone to have a positive college experience, and safety is what allows students to be comfortable with exploring this era of their lives.”
Singleton is a former resident assistant and current area director. Having been on duty during Halloween before, she has seen first-hand some of the safety concerns that come along with the holiday.
“The biggest safety concern I’ve seen is nonresidents roaming the building,” Singleton said. “While trick or treating is the hallmark of Halloween, residence halls are not a place to engage in that activity.
“Giving access to people who do not live in assigned dorms creates a major threat to residents who live in them. We’ve had instances of theft, assault, threats and simply reports of residents feeling uncomfortable or scared with people ‘lurking,’ especially in costumes or masks, around their living spaces.”
There are many ways for students to stay safe while enjoying a night out on Halloween. A big factor is communication and accountability.
“One phone call could make all the difference in an emergency situation,” Singleton said. “Most buildings have a Remind group that RAs are able to make announcements to everyone who lives in the building.
“It’s important to have a way to communicate if something goes wrong, and it’s always good to let someone know where you’re going.”
With Halloween comes a crowd of trick-or-treaters, another factor to keep in mind.
“You have to remember that young children will be in the roadways traveling from house to house to Trick or Treat,” said Farmer. “As I stated before, monitor your drinks and be smart about driving.”
As Troy students gather their costumes and make plans for “Halloweekend,” it is just as important to keep safety in mind as it is to have a fun and spooky Halloween.
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