Much like the colorful individuals who annually flood its streets, Athens will be wearing its own costume this weekend.
Shaking off its typically tranquil “university in the hills” appearance, Athens will transform into a hub of activity and excitement as the nationally recognized Halloween block party commences Saturday night.
But the promise of the festivities has sparked a darker concern with many students — the question of lighting on campus as safety awareness spikes.
Mark Mathews, a captain with the Ohio University Police Department, said the department has received complaints over the years about poorly-lit areas around campus. Complaints about lighting in off-campus neighborhoods are more common, though, he said.
Some locations that students believe are not well lit include Jefferson Hill, Mill Street and Washington Street.
“As a whole, the campus is not poorly lit,” said Kyle Triplett, president of OU
Student Senate. “However, there are locations that need to have better lighting.”
Lighting on campus is important because it is a deterrent, Triplett said. But, he added, good lighting does not completely prevent crime.
“If someone is going to rob me, lighting is not going to stop them,” he said.
Triplett and Mathews both said students should travel in groups this weekend and stay in well-lit areas.
“We just want to be sure during Halloween that students are behaving themselves and watching out for other OU students and guests,” Triplett said. “Know your surroundings. Know who you’re with, especially during these big events.”
Triplett added that considering the increase in reported sexual assaults on OU’s campus, it is particularly important to avoid dark areas and to stay in a group this weekend.
“I would be afraid of walking home alone,” said Elly Brown, a freshman studying marketing. “Not really knowing a lot of people, and with people not exactly being themselves, I wouldn’t feel safe.”
Senate recently launched a campaign called “Lifelines to Safety” that provides students with safety tips and sexual assault statistics — for instance, one in four college women reports having been raped during her lifetime. The campaign also reminds students of contact information for OU’s Safe-T Patrol and Survivor Advocacy Program.
The campaign’s Twitter account, @safetythOUghts, regularly provides safety tips.
As OU’s population and noise level temporarily soar this weekend, OUPD will continue to monitor alcohol and drug use, property theft, lighting and safety, Mathews said.
“Due to the size (of the block party), we want people to really pay attention, to be aware of where they are and what they’re doing,” he said. “Property can be replaced. People cannot.”
oh994610@ohiou.edu
