While even the smallest event can prompt students to guzzle beer in celebration, the mix of Homecoming, a football game and Halloween has police doubling enforcement this weekend, ASU Police spokesman Cmdr. Jim Hardina said.

The combination of three major ASU events prompted Tom Kane, president of CollegeSafetyZone.com to call this weekend the “perfect storm for partying.”

Kane said there are three major factors that can lead to problems on a weekend like this: large parties, an excess of alcohol and students in costumes, he said.

“Certainly alcohol is the biggest concern,” he said.

He compared Halloween to spring break for college students because students don’t have to be themselves, he said.

“Halloween is one of the biggest party weekends on colleges across the country,” he said. “When students are in costumes they are more prone to do things they wouldn’t normally do.”

Kane, author of the book, “Protect Yourself at College,” said students need to look out for each other this weekend.

“Make sure that everyone is being as safe as possible,” he said. “Just because they are having fun does not mean they can let their guard down.”

Students should stay away from punch bowls, always hold on to their drinks and have a plan before the night begins, he said.

There is no need for students to be walking home as late as 3 a.m., Kane said.

“Getting there is one thing but how are you going to get home?” he said.
Marketing freshman Chris LaBarge said he plans on being safer than usual this Halloween weekend.

“I am going with a large group of friends to keep each other safe,” he said.

He said all the factors contributing to this weekend could lead to some “craziness.”

LaBarge suggested watching out for friends to make sure no one in the group is in trouble, but he also said he still plans on having fun.

“I definitely plan on having a good time this weekend,” he said.
Hardina said officers have a plan for this weekend.

“We are going to have twice as many officers working this Saturday,” he said.

They will be stationed at several events throughout the day, including the football game and performances at ASU Gammage auditorium, he said.

More officers than normal will also be on patrol around Vista Del Sol and along Alpha Drive.

“If it gets really busy, people working the football game will go on patrol,” he said.

There will also be more DUI enforcement this weekend around campus, Hardina said.

He stressed the need for students to be responsible with alcohol, especially if they’ll be driving.

“If you are underage, don’t drink because we will have extra enforcement,” Hardina said.

In a mash-up of a holiday weekend and several campus events, Kane said students need to be smart and keep an eye out for each other, especially because problems like alcohol-poisoning, rape and drunk driving aren’t uncommon.

“[Halloween] can be a great memory but students have to exercise common sense,” he said.

Reach the reporter at nathan.meacham@asu.edu.