With Halloween weekend approaching, many University of South

Carolina students are gearing up for parties, costumes and late-night celebrations. But

alongside the excitement comes an effort to make sure the fun doesn’t turn dangerous.

For student host Tamia Starks, planning a Halloween party means taking steps to protect

her guests.

“We’re making sure everyone is of age and making sure anyone who drinks has a safe way

home,” Starks said. “If someone’s had too much, we’ll call an Uber or they can just stay here

for the night.”

Starks said she and her friends wanted to enjoy the night without worrying about

emergencies.

“Everyone deserves to get home safely,” she said.

While students like Starks focus on keeping things under control inside, deputies will be

outside working to prevent problems before they start.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department expects hundreds of college students to attend

off-campus gatherings this weekend. Extra patrols are planned in neighborhoods near the

university.

“If you ever feel unsafe or in danger, just leave the party,” Deputy Gillespie said. “If you are

attending a party, just try to do battle buddies.”

Gillespie said bringing a friend is one of the simplest ways to stay out of trouble, especially

when alcohol or drugs are present. She also recommends sharing your location with

someone you trust before heading out and planning transportation in advance.

“Don’t drink and drive — stick with your friends,” she said. “When it comes to drugs at a

party, don’t partake in any of it. A lot of it can be laced with harmful substances.”

Data shows that those precautions matter.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, about 3,200 people visit

emergency rooms each year for Halloween-related injuries, and about 38 percent of fatal

crashes on Halloween night involve an impaired driver.

Gillespie says to trust your instincts and don’t hesitate to call 911.

Both students and deputies share the same goal: making sure Halloween celebrations

remain fun, responsible and free of incidents.