Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint in Five Points will be open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. (Photos by Mary Gaughan/Carolina News & Reporter)
Halloween in Columbia for college students is more than a casual night of scary movies, candy and costumes.
Molly Cera, a senior at the University of South Carolina, described Halloween as an “in-your-face intense” experience.
“When I was a freshman, I was completely caught off guard by how big of a deal Halloween was in college,” Cera said. “People are going out Monday through Sunday, buying like 15 billion costumes — it is definitely chaotic.”
In addition to Halloween festivities, USC will celebrate its Homecoming from Oct. 28 to Nov. 2.
Homecoming features student and alumni events, including a pep rally in Five Points on Friday night before the football game against Texas A&M.
Sgt. Scott Desrochers of the Columbia Police Department encourages students to have a good time but to celebrate with caution due to the expected increase in foot traffic.
People are prone to overconsumption of alcohol on major holidays, Desrochers said. So it’s crucial they be aware of their intake.
“When you’re having a good time, you don’t really tend to notice that one drink turned into three drinks, then turned into five drinks,” Desrochers said. “Before you know it, you’re pretty sloppy drunk. So it’s always good to have that sober friend who can keep tabs on everybody.”
Matthew Trent, who works at Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint in Five Points, said the establishment is especially aware of patrons’ alcohol consumption on busy weekends like this.
“We will be extra observant of social cues: talking loud, stumbling, aggression, running around, and stuff like that,” Trent said. “We just want to make sure everything goes smoothly.”
Chase Miller, a server at Publico in Five Points, said the restaurant is implementing extra measures, including increased staffing, to help combat overdrinking.
“We also have measures to make sure nobody is drinking too much or acting crazy,” Miller said. “We have protocols to remove them, help them, or whatever we need to do.”
Desrochers said there’s an overlooked safety hazard that he thinks puts students in the most danger: the residential streets surrounding the popular entertainment destinations.
“Five Points itself is not necessarily an unsafe area,” Desrochers said. “It’s once you get out of there — the neighborhoods – where it’s it’s more sparsely populated and dimly lit.”
He said walking in those areas alone or in small groups makes students much more susceptible to danger.
“A lot of times, we see people people just acting silly and (being) completely unaware of their surroundings,” Desrochers said. “If the officers notice that, the bad guys are going to notice that as well. And they’re going to take advantage of it.”
Desrochers said the most common mistake he sees students make is failing to implement a safe, effective transportation plan.
“People need to make sure they are getting to and from their location safely,” he said. “That means using a rideshare service – Uber, Lyft – or arranging a designated driver.”
Trent said Jack Brown’s prioritizes ensuring everyone gets home safe when they’re drinking.
“Obviously, we can’t force someone to make the right decision,” Trent said. “But we definitely can call them Ubers or other rideshares to make sure they get home in a safe manner from our establishment.”
USC senior Alex Bull thinks students feel more pressure to party excessively on busy weekends like this one and are more prone to ‘venturing out by themselves.'”
One of the most effective strategies to ensure a safe night out during crowded weekends is location sharing with those closest to you, Bull said.
“I don’t think many students are thinking enough about the risks that come with partying on weekends like this one,” Bull said. “I think they’re a lot more focused on the social aspect and the costumes. It’s very easy to get distracted during a holiday this big.”
The Columbia Police Department said it will have stepped-up law enforcement throughout Five Points this weekend.
“We’ll have officers on every block,” Desrochers said. “All (revelers) have to do is holler, and we’re right there. We try to walk back and forth on the blocks in the heart of Five Points. And we’ll usually have the blue cruise lights on so you can find us easily.”
Students need to ensure they can accurately describe who is putting them in danger so the police can effectively assist, Desrochers said.
“If you say the bad guy is dressed as a fireman, there’s probably going to be 15 to 20 firemen on that block at least,” Desrochers said. “So please try to give us as much detailed information as possible.”
Calling 911 is the quickest option in a crisis. Desrochers said it allows law enforcement to track your phone’s location within a certain distance.
“Whether you’re the victim or a witness, 911 is always a good option,” he said. “Give us a call, tell us where you are so we can make sure justice is served.”
