With Halloween coming up, Public Safety’s top priority is the protection of students. Safety measures will be put in place for the holiday along with educating students about the precautions they can take.
Sgt. Dreama Pullon, a patrol officer for ETSU Public Safety and Pepper’s handler, suggests implementing a buddy system. “Number one main thing if you’re going out, please go in pairs or groups,” said Pullon.
Jennifer Mayberry, a lieutenant with the ETSU Police Department, suggests being cautious regarding costumes. Mayberry recommends that students “make sure that their clothes fit to where they can move if they need to walk or run,” also, “. . . be wary of any wigs that they may be wearing or hair that might fall down and block their vision or get caught on something.”
Pullon and Mayberry recommend having backup plans as well as being cautious of places and people. “. . . trust your instincts. If it feels wrong, it’s wrong,” advised Pullon.
They urge students to assign designated drivers and be watchful of their drinks. “Don’t take a drink from people you don’t know. Don’t drink an open drink. Don’t set your drink down,” said Pullon.
Public Safety will be taking extra precautions to ensure the protection of students on Halloween and the days leading up to it. There will be extra patrols around campus, focused on housing areas, looking out for anything suspicious or out of place. Pullon said, “. . . we want to make sure people see us and we’re out there in case they do need us.”
Mayberry emphasized the resources available to students like Safe Voyage, an opportunity to be escorted by a member of campus security. The service is offered 24/7 and can be requested at (423) 439-4480. Students can utilize the emergency phones stationed throughout campus in case of emergency.
“Stay safe and have fun,” said Pullon.
