Since Halloween is fast approaching on Tuesday, Oct. 31, festivities will be in full swing this weekend at Kent State University and downtown Kent. “Halloweekend” can be full of treats, but you never know what tricks will arise when it comes to safety.
Kent State Today sought answers from Sgt. Tricia Knoles with Kent State Police Services. We asked for her top safety tips and how her team will be working to keep students safe this holiday weekend.
Costumes/Props
Halloween is a popular costume holiday. Students often dress up to head out. Some students will even go as far as including props and masks as a part of their costumes. But campus police want you to be safe and aware of your surroundings, especially since Kent is a gathering place for Halloween each year.
Knoles suggests it’s better if students wear costumes that don't impede their ability to be aware of what’s going on around them. Masks can impede vision. She said it is important to be able to fully view your surroundings. Most indoor establishments have a “no mask” policy, so if you see someone with a mask, it’s a good idea to proceed with caution or avoid the situation, Knoles said.
“If you see someone that looks suspicious or something going on in an area, then you should cross the street or go a different way,” Knoles said.
As a part of the university’s policy, props resembling any sort of weapon are prohibited on campus.
”As far as props, any kind of toy weapon is not permitted on campus,” Knoles said.
Knoles noted that police are trained to look for weapons and despite something appearing fake to you, it could look potentially dangerous to another person or officer.
Safety in Numbers
Most students will be walking around campus on Halloweekend and the most important safety rule here is to avoid being alone.
“I always say to walk in groups of two or more. The more the merrier,” Knoles said. “If you find yourself walking by yourself, find a group of people and kind of walk close to them so that you give the perception of being with the group, so you’re not secluded.”
On the other hand, if you find yourself in a large group that is out of control, Knoles says to remove yourself from the situation and find a safe space.
Heads Up
Knoles notes that when you are walking, “keep your nose out of your phone,” but always keep it close.
“The main thing we're seeing is people walking with their head in their phone,” Knoles said. “When you're walking and looking down at your phone, you're not aware of your surroundings and that really can make you vulnerable, especially if you have consumed alcohol. We really want to be aware of your surroundings and when crossing the street.”
Alcohol Use
For those students 21 years of age, Knoles said the most important rule is no open containers, no matter the circumstance. This is an alcoholic beverage that has lost its original seal.
“If you are on private property, such as the front yard of a house, you can have an open container,” Knoles said. “But as soon as your foot steps onto the sidewalk, that is considered ‘open container.’”
Offenses that involve alcohol may be the highest number of offenses this holiday weekend, Knoles predicts.
Keep It Cordial
If you do have a run in with an officer regarding any offense this weekend, her biggest suggestion is to keep it respectful.
“Don’t have court on the street. If you feel you've been wronged, though, there is a time and a place and everybody has a supervisor,” Knoles said. “Waiting for your time in court is the better way to go, so that you don't get into any more trouble than you already are.”
Knoles said that campus police officers’ arresting abilities are the same as city of Kent Police, and they cover some of the same patrol areas. This covers all of campus, East Summit Street, Main Street adjacent to campus and the streets branching from these roads.
University Resources
Throughout campus, there are more than 40 emergency phones with distinctive and visible blue lights. These phones can be used to call 911 and will immediately connect the caller to the Kent State Police 911 Communication Center.
What types of incidents are these phones for? Anything and everything that seems uneasy or uncomfortable, according to Knoles.
“Anytime that you feel unsafe, you see someone suspicious, doing something that you know isn’t right or doesn’t feel right, feel free to call the police,” Knoles said, “We would rather get a call and check it out than have something happen and no one called.”
If you’re on campus calling 911 from a cellphone, geofencing will connect you to a campus dispatcher, and if you’re outside of campus, Kent City Police will be happy to assist or help you because both Kent City and campus police have extra officers and dispatchers working for this weekend.
For situations that don’t require the police, but you are feeling uneasy about walking or getting back to your residence hall, Kent State offers Security Escort Services. Students calling 330-672-7004 can be accompanied on their walk home by a Safety Assistant or Security Aide. These services operate from 8-2 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and from 8-3:30 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Remember
Nearly 44% of national fatal crashes during Halloween weekend involved a driver under the influence of alcohol. Use your best judgment before getting in a car or behind the wheel. If you will be walking, remember the buddy system, think about open container rules and consider costume suggestions from Knoles and helpful campus resources.
Whatever costume you decide on and however you plan on celebrating this spooky holiday, make sure you have fun, but most importantly keep yourself safe.
Learn more about Kent State University’s alcohol policy.