Looking back, perhaps it wasn't the best idea to schedule the Homecoming game on the same weekend Madison celebrates Halloween'at least from the police and administration's standpoint. Nonetheless, many thousands of us are ready to throw down and party this Saturday.
UW-Madison students will not be reveling alone. If the last two or three years are any indication, Madison's Halloween celebration is reaching the proportions it achieved 10 or 15 years ago, when State Street would play host to upwards of 75,000 Midwesterners, all of whom were looking for a good time.
However, students won't be the only ones wearing costumes Saturday. Officers from the Madison Police Department will be dressed in their own blue costumes. Like students, the police will be out in greater force than normal.
These factors mixed together, along with the booze or whatever you choose to put into your body (avoid the brown acid), could make for a dangerous weekend. So please be careful.
Please don't misunderstand'you should have fun. But while carousing like you've never caroused before, keep an eye out for your friends. Keep an eye out for your sisters, your girlfriends and your ladyfriends. With all the people out there filling State Street to the brim dressed in costumes, otherwise unrecognizable, any conceivable assault is possible, with the risk of sexual assault especially high.
In addition, we urge you all to be compassionate toward each other, both in word and deed. Keep in mind that with that many people out in force, State Street could very easily become a riot zone. All it takes is one poorly intentioned person to start window breaking or car flipping for downtown Madison to become downtown Beirut.
Finally, be responsible with your attire. Along with annual concerns about potentially offensive costumes, there are heightened sensitivities regarding violence and terrorist themes this year. Please be sensitive to other people's feelings.
With that said, have the time of your life. This may prove to be one of the legendary Madison Halloweens that you will tell your children about.
