Halloween is on the horizon once again, and everyone is dying to have a good time. It won’t be long before jack-o-lanterns glow from every front porch, decorative spiders dangle menacingly from plastic webs and costume wearers take to the streets for another weekend of spooky festivities.
While you pick out your costume, Cal Poly Police Department (CPPD) is taking precautions to keep San Luis Obispo safe. Hopefully this year you can navigate not only haunted houses, but safety enhancement zones, with ease — because the only thing scarier than ghosts is double fines.
The City of SLO uses safety enhancement zones to help keep the streets safe during certain times of the year. This Halloween, the entire area within the SLO city limits is a designated safety enhancement zone from 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 31 until 7 a.m. on Nov. 4.
During this time, fines are doubled for violating these municipal codes: noise, unruly gathering, social host, public urination and open container. Fines start anywhere from $500–$5,000, not to mention the possibility of being arrested for certain violations.
Was that enough to make you (or your wallet) scream? Don’t worry. Check out these tips to help make sure your plans go smoothly.
Halloween Safety Tips:
- Don’t walk anywhere alone at night. Call a friend for a ride home, or use a transportation service like Uber or Lyft. See riding safe with rideshare safety tips.
- When walking in public, the only thing in your hand should be a flashlight to alert others on the street that you’re there.
- Look both ways before crossing the streets, and always use crosswalks whenever possible.
- Don’t leave lit jack-o-lanterns in doorways, window sills or anywhere that someone could easily knock it over.
- If you’re driving, look out for young trick-or-treaters when going through alleys or driveways.
- Stay off your phone and be aware of your surroundings.