Law enforcement officers prepare for Halloween night
The night of tricks and treats will be upon the city of Logan and Utah State University tonight.
For Logan and USU Campus Police and the Cache County Sheriff’s Office, Halloween means more security and visible law enforcement.
Lt. Kim Cheshire of the patrol division of the Cache County Sheriff’s Office said the Sheriff’s Office gears up for every Halloween.
“We normally have four officers on patrol [in Cache Valley],” he said. “We’ll have 38 [on Halloween].”
The USU Police will increase the officers on duty to four from the normal two, said USU Campus Police Lt. Joe Izatt.
The Logan City Police will increase the number of patrol cars by about one-third. The numbers will increase from four to 10, Logan Police Chief Richard Hendricks said.
“We will be more out and about to keep kids safer,” Izatt said. “There are quite a few children around Aggie Village and the trailer court.”
Cheshire said crime on Halloween night increases and has moved around Cache Valley over the years.
“Wellsville is famous for setting bales of hay on fire in the middle of the road,” he said. “That is illegal burning [a misdemeanor].”
“Our main focus is vandalism and criminal mischief,” Hendricks said. “We expect straw burning and toilet papering – as long as property isn’t destroyed, we try to take it in stride.”
The Sheriff’s Office will also have deputies in marked and unmarked cars patrolling streets to try to prevent problems such as vandalism from happening, Cheshire said.
Law enforcement officials agree Halloween can be fun, but can have dire consequences if students forget to follow a few safety tips.
“We ask people to use common sense,” Hendricks said. “We hold our breath every Halloween that there won’t be a vehicle versus pedestrian accident.”
Hendricks said dark clothing, masks that obstruct vision and lots of running around can lead to problems.
Izatt said most people normally leave campus to attend Halloween parties. He said students should be wary during parties.
“If you go to a Halloween party, keep track of your drink,” he said.
Izatt said other tips include: Not drinking out of already-opened containers, having a designated driver, calling a cab or even staying overnight.
“Don’t drive intoxicated,” he said.
Izatt said the USU Police will be doing directive patrol which means a few officers will be doing nothing but intercepting intoxicated drivers.
Hendricks said Logan Police will be engaging in similar tactics to slow traffic down.
“That would be the saddest event for a college student driving a car full of people with everyone talking and not paying attention and having a little kid run out in the middle of the road,” Hendricks said.