College students prowled the streets and bars of Bloomington on Halloween weekend, dressed as witches, mice and everything else Sydney Maxwell, an IU senior said.
“Literally everything, from Jesus to the devil,” Maxwell said. “You name it, it was there.”
Maxwell is a former First Year Experience student coordinator who has explained Halloween weekend to hundreds of incoming students.
While she said she felt safe out on Halloween weekend, Bloomington Police Capt. Steve Kellams said the weekend is a crazy weekend every year. There were 38 arrests from Friday through Sunday for Halloween weekend, according to Bloomington Police Department records.
“Monday night won’t be a big deal,” Kellams said. “Friday and Saturday are going to be crazy.”
In 2015, when Halloween was on a Saturday, only six arrests were made. They included charges for drugs, alcohol, warrant arrests and disorderly conduct.
Kellams said that with the World Series, a home game and Halloween all occurring during the same brief period, activity would spike.
“There’s going to be a lot of parties and a lot of people moving around,” Kellams said.
While Kellams said this weekend is a dangerous one for many college students, Maxwell said she does not think it is any more dangerous then another weekend. In some ways, she said, it’s even less dangerous.
“I think more people are excited and would go out, so people are less likely to be by themselves,” Maxwell said.
Maxwell said being a senior also changes the equation for her personally. Earlier in her college career she said she went to a lot of house parties on Halloween weekend and was walking outside during very early hours.
“This year has been a lot more chill,” Maxwell said.
Regardless, Maxwell said people need to take precautions. Everyone is out in a costume and it can be confusing, she said.
“Halloween is a lot of fun but it’s also kind of freaky,” Maxwell said. “Even the harmless people can look like creeps.”
Kellams said BPD’s concerns were along similar lines. He said if a costume involves a mask, people need to be careful when entering businesses. Businesses have the right to ask someone costumed to leave if they are making the clerk or manager nervous about a possible robbery or other crime.
Kellams said keeping an eye on alcohol and never leaving a drink unattended were just a few basic tips for students this weekend.
“These are just real basic party precautions,” Kellams said.
Kellams said students and families should be aware of their surroundings and be prepared to call the police if there are any problems. He said that Halloween weekend is on par with Homecoming in how wild it can get both out on the streets and in the bars.
IU students can still enjoy themselves Maxwell said, they just need to keep things in mind as they travel around downtown Bloomington.
“It’s extra important to stick with friends that you trust, to watch your drink and to make sure you and your friends feel safe,’ Maxwell said.
