Police presence to increase this weekend, Wed.

With Halloween approaching, the UNH Police Department and the Durham Police Department are prepared for this weekend and Wednesday night.


“The Durham Police Department will have additional officers on duty this weekend as well as for Halloween night,” said Durham PD Deputy Chief Rene Kelley. “It is our expectation that students will act responsibly and enjoy the festivities without creating situations that would require a law enforcement response.”

Paul Dean, UNH chief of police and executive director of public safety, said that UNH police officers do not expect any unusual issues this year and will have officers assigned to the various haunted houses and events going on across campus.


“The UNH Police Department will have additional staff on duty to support the many events on campus this weekend and next weekend,” Dean said.


According to Kelley, there were minimal incidents and arrests last Halloween due to the early snowfall and resulting power outage, despite the holiday occurring the same weekend as homecoming.


“As a result of the storm, officers were relegated to responses for downed trees and power lines,” Kelley said.

Both UNH and Durham police want to remind students that safety is a priority.


“Though Halloween weekend can be a fun experience, the yearly event makes individual safety an even more prevalent concern than on many other occasions,” Dean said. “Engaging in excessive drinking, in combination with costumes and a general party atmosphere can contribute to dangerous situations.”

Dean suggests that students take certain precautions before and during their Halloween celebrations: choose a costume that your friends can recognize you in so you can watch out for each other; if you are of legal age and choose to drink, drink in moderation and in a controlled environment; and watch out for friends as they should watch out for you.


Dean also said police should be notified of any suspicious people, activities or dangerous situations.


“I would simply remind everyone to be good neighbors, use alcohol responsibly and to look out for one another’s safety,” Kelley said.