It seems like clockwork: Each and every year around this time, we feel the anticipation of the Department of Public Safety and the Eugene Police Department planning and preparing for a busy weekend, and students gearing up for a weekend that breaks from the norm.
Halloween weekend.
Each year, the days may shift about a bit, but we know basically what to expect — to the point where we at the Emerald know we’ll probably be writing a weekend-catch-up-with-Eugene-Police story on Monday or Tuesday.
Because while the last two years have not resulted in anything too dramatic, the city still remembers 1998’s holiday festivities @@yeah, biotch! I was here!@@(the last year until 2009 that Halloween fell on a weekend), which sparked a riot with all the classic results: sign-stealing, rock-throwing and a dozen arrests. And here in Eugene, we sure do like our riots.
So, when we suggest that you take it easy and take steps to avoid run-ins with the cops this weekend, know that we don’t want to come off as the morality police. We just want to change a trend.
Here are some easy ways to get through this weekend without pissing off your neighbors, professors or the police.
- Remembering your license and insurance — We’re not naming any names here (and definitely not any rhyming with Hliff Carris), but for the designated drivers of the evening, make sure you’re squared away to drive and avoid any mishaps. EPD is already going through enough putting out the metaphorical fires of Eugene on Saturday night following a home game. Take to heart the example of an unnamed cornerback and be prepared.
- Eat at least one square meal — There’s a reason Four Loko was banned. You’ll probably be around a lot of candy and alcohol at some point this weekend. Watch the intake of both and make sure to find something nourishing over the weekend.
- Get some sleep Sunday night — It’s a long weekend however you look at it, and even longer when you consider the impact of the Washington State game. Professors will appreciate the higher attendance and increased attentiveness after Halloween festivities, but more importantly, week six is deceptively difficult. For the hipsters, go trick or treating to say you went; for everyone else, enjoy the cold autumn evening for what it is and rest up for the week.
Look, the big thing is, no one likes a riot — except the people in it as it goes on. We saw about as much rioting as we needed to last year when everyone reacted to what happened on that precipitous Friday in late September.@@I don’t understand; this sentence needs to be clarified some way@@ It was a shocking event that people were unaware how to respond to.
And if you dislike how the police react to these sorts of weekends, the power is in your hands.@@I think the popo just needs to chill and let us party@@ If you make smart decisions, you can change the way eventful weekends near campus are treated.
And considering that there was not a repeat of the back-to-school riot this year, we’re already off to a running start to change perspectives.
