What happens in Athens doesn't always stay in Athens.
Ohio State students planning to go to Ohio University's annual Halloween block party should keep this in mind, because arrest records can haunt them later.
Ric Abel, the mayor of Athens, held a press conference Wednesday detailing how police will have an increased presence the day of the popular Halloween party. To keep the crowds secure, the Ohio Department of Public Safety will be cracking down on people who jeopardize safety.
A non-university sanctioned event, the Halloween block party is the destination of many Ohio college students. Athens, a small town with more than 20,000 people, with an additional 20,000 OU students, sees an influx of people during Halloween weekend.
Out of 126 people arrested during Halloween weekend last year, 46 were identified as college students. Five were OSU students; the only university with more arrests was OU.
ODPS will partner with the Athens Police Department, Ohio University Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Governor's Highway Safety Office and Ohio Investigative Unit.
The OIU that usually sends out two to four undercover police officers will have approximately 20 agents on the field enforcing liquor laws, said Lindsay Komlanc, the ODPS media relations director.
"We still want everyone to have fun," Komlanc said.
The biggest worry for OSU students is driving under the influence, she said. With stricter OU policies of only allowing one guest per dorm room, OSU students might be tempted to drive back the same night on Route 33.
OSHP will have tighter control on Route 33 for the weekend and encourages out-of-towners to designate a driver.
Aaron Jones, a senior in film studies at OSU, is a transfer student from OU and recalls Halloween weekends from past years when his friends were arrested for public intoxication.
"Two of my buddies were (arrested)," Jones said. "One was arrested for walking outside of a crosswalk ... The other got in trouble for doing a flip off of a tree."
Lt. Chris Johnson of Ohio University Police Department said the weekend is not the time or place to be intoxicated or experimenting with drugs.
"All the Ohio state laws apply on Halloween weekend," he said. "Some people mistakenly think it is like Mardi Gras, and it's not like that."
But because it is still a party on Halloween weekend, students should still have fun.
"If they have the respect for the city and the university and private property, they should have a good time if they choose to come down," Johnson said.
Natalia Mitsui can be reached at mitsui.6@osu.edu.
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