The article posted in the Oct. 31, issue described that the Halloween block party was tamer this year than it has been in years past and the explanation was because of the cold; however, I believe it was because of the measures taken by people in charge.
Arrests were fewer than last year, but they were drastically more in 2010 and 2009 compared to previous years. I do not believe that students are partying less this year than years past; I believe that students are just well aware that Halloween is not a night to go crazy anymore.
As a sophomore, I experienced the daunting task of finding my visiting friends wristbands and worrying about them because I was responsible for their actions. Everyone who lives in a dorm, which would be about half of the student body, must pass a table of resident assistants while walking in and out of their building all weekend.
Even my upperclassman boyfriend was not allowed in the dorm without receiving an “off-campus wristband.” I was warned by almost anyone I talked to that this was not a weekend to act stupid because cops would be everywhere, and there would be more out than any other weekend.
So, as an Ohio University student, why would I go crazy this weekend? There are plenty of other weekends for that.
The Athens Halloween block party has been a tradition since 1974, and it became an official OU and Athens sponsored event in 1977. This only lasted for two years, and then the university and city dropped their sponsorship due to the amount of arrests.
A Zanesville resident said to the Columbus Dispatch in 2008 that he came to the parties for years. He explained that it was smaller in years past, but better policed now. The block party became known for large amounts of arrests and wild behavior, which led to an increase in police. The students are well aware that the police force grows tremendously for this weekend only, and this is affecting their behavior.
Halloween is a fun weekend because of the fun costumes, but it is no longer thought of the same way it used to be, which is the response that I would assume the school and police wanted. Homecoming and fest season are the weekends for the crazy behavior and this will most likely change soon, too.
The cold may have affected some of the scantily clad girls, but I think the law enforcement and school-enforced rules have changed Halloween.
Alexandra Spaw is a sophomore studying biology and pre-med.
