Pete Mendoza
With Halloween approaching, students should take precautions when trick-or-treating, wear practical costumes and always be in a state of alertness, police officials said.
UTRGV Police Department Sergeant Roel Reyes said that being in a group and following your basic safety procedures is needed if you are going out on Halloween.
“If you’re going out, go with a group of friends,” Reyes said. “Don’t travel alone, always be vigilant, [follow] basic safety tips, let somebody know that you’re going out and when you plan on coming back.”
Associate Dean of Students Rights and Responsibilities Douglas Stoves said even though times change, some tactics do not, and the basics of safety will never change.
“It all filters right back down to watching out for one another and being safe,” Stoves said. “The mechanisms may change here and there. But, [at the] end of the day, we need to make sure that we have each other’s backs as we’re going though any event, Halloween or otherwise.”
He said the biggest concern comes from Halloween parties, which are the most popular places for students to gather.
Both at parties and while trick-or-treating, Reyes advises students to be careful about what they consume.
“Don’t accept anything [like] drinks or food from people you don’t know,” he said. “Just to be safe on what you’re consuming. That way you’re aware of what you’re consuming at all times. Inspect your candies just to make sure that whatever candies that they’re receiving are safe for consumption.”
Stoves explained the limitations some costumes have and how the valley’s weather should be considered when choosing a costume.
“Some of those masks can restrict airflow and cause breathing problems,” he said. “People can overheat pretty easily and especially if you’re wearing a rubber mask.”
According to Reyes there are officers on patrol 24-7 everyday and will be more vigilant on Halloween, since most events and parties occur during the night.
He said students can call the police department for emergencies or use the Campus Shield app to anonymously report certain activities.
“[The Campus Shield app is] very beneficial in cases of emergencies or if you want to report anything anonymously,” Reyes said. “If you feel that something is off or suspicious, call the police department or report anonymously through the campus shield.
For more information about safety you can visit https://www.utrgv.edu/police/ or https://www.utrgv.edu/srr/.
This is Pete Mendoza for Vaquero Radio.
