Weeknight Halloween limits boo-ze

By Jeff Christian
The Collegian

Pumpkins, candy, costumes and ghost stories are all part of the fun and scary atmosphere of the ghoulish holiday, Halloween. However, there are also several negative aspects that accompany Halloween night.

Reports of property damage, fire accidents and noise disturbances increase on Halloween night. Those reports usually stem from out-of-control parties or acts of negligence and foolishness.

“There’s going to be more people out and people like to do scary and stupid stuff,” Fresno State junior Elizabeth Moules said.

Although Fresno State students aren’t likely to be trick-or-treating, students on the road Tuesday night are encouraged to look for children and drive with caution.

The National Safety Council warns motorists to be wary of children on roadways, sidewalks, or darting out from between parked cars.

In addition to caution on the road, students should also be wary of the dangers that alcohol could pose on their holiday evening.

The increase in parties and events could also result in an increased number of intoxicated drivers on the road.

“I have a costume so I guess I’m going out, but I always make sure that I take a designated driver with me and I have them watch what I’m drinking,” Moules said.

An increase in alcohol intake also increases the risk of alcohol poisoning and other alcohol-related incidents for students.

Fresno State junior Monica Fettke said her sorority Kappa Alpha Theta promotes and adheres to the designated driver program.

Fettke said she takes other precautions when she goes out to help ensure her safety.

“If I’m walking around at night I always make sure that I have someone walking with me,” Fettke said.

Students embracing the frightening atmosphere outdoors might need to take extra precautions because this year they won’t be aided by increased police patrol or emergency room staff.

According to Amy Armstrong, the public information officer for the campus police department, the campus police force will not increase patrol cars on Halloween night.

Saint Agnes Hospital safety officer Shelley Holland said the hospital doesn’t anticipate an increase in emergency room visits and will not increase staff Tuesday night either.

“We know that there are going to be a lot of parties and I’ve heard about some of our sister hospitals in big college towns back East ramping up their staffs, but we haven’t found that need. I guess we’re doing all right,” Holland said.

Another reason for the relaxed anticipation could be because Halloween falls on a weeknight this year. Many Fresno State students celebrated the holiday by going out over the weekend.

It also seemed that the Fresno Police Department was out in full force Saturday night, with DUI checkpoints and other precautionary enforcement measures around town.

Unfortunately, some students will not be able to enjoy the scary ambiance and costumes because they will be saddled with schoolwork and forced to remain indoors as they prepare for the final stretch of the semester.

“I think it’s like any other big event, but because it’s on a Tuesday night there probably won’t be as many people out,” Fettke said.

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