One step forward, two steps back
With the myriad problems facing Ohio University lately, one thing the administration does not have to worry about is an out-of-hand Halloween. Saturday's street party was relatively uneventful, with a crowd that an Athens Police Department news release called the smallest in years. Although there was still violent behavior, the number of Halloween weekend arrests declined from 128 in 2005 to 99 this year. There are a few things OU and the city of Athens can take away from this quieter weekend as they prepare for future Halloweens.
But before President Roderick McDavis sends a trumpeting letter to satisfied parents, the university is in no position to take credit for this softer-than-usual Halloween. This is a claim the administration would probably love to make, but it is far too early to do so. Granted, if the next several Halloweens are equally as calm, they could try to make such a case, but at this time there are too many variables to consider. The bad weather on Saturday night is just as likely an explanation, among other factors affecting turnout.
The numbers prevent OU from taking credit as well. Although the number of arrests was down, the percentage of OU students arrested was actually up. While only six of the arrests last Halloween were OU students, 23 were OU students this year. If anything, OU students were much less responsible this Halloween.
The Great Wall of Athens
In the lead up to this weekend party, the city of Athens contemplated putting up a fence and charging for admission to the Uptown area. Clearly, this calmer Halloween illustrates that such an idea is not desirable. In fact, it might only decrease the size of the crowd to the point that the block party itself would be virtually nonexistent. Students will find ways to have fun without paying for it. Security is not an issue in this case either, as Athens has not had the number of problems that Madison, Wis., had before it put up the wall that inspired Athens to consider the same thing.
So while it's great that Halloween did not get out of hand this year, it will be even better if OU and Athens learn from the experience. As things stand, the new alcohol policies and a possible fence both could prove counter-intuitive in the future. For now, it would be best to keep things the way they are.
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Quietest party in years will lead Athens, OU to start basking in their ability to quell parties
