We need YOU to be safe: Student government Halloween effort only a partial fix

With Halloween fast approaching UNC student government is working to make this year's celebration a safer event. 

They recently announced plans offer some thoughtful new measures. But ultimately if we are truly committed to a safer Halloween students must take responsibility for themselves.

- Safe Ride: The best new measure student government proposed is to expand and reroute the bus service.

This service was discontinued over the past few years due to Franklin Street being closed off.

Now students living off-campus will have easy access to safe and reliable transportation on Halloween.

The new Halloween bus routes will soon be posted on the student government Web site. Be sure to check those out.

- Peer escort: This service is a thoughtful idea but we wonder how effective it will be. A few dozen volunteers cannot possibly be expected to baby-sit a crowd of 80000 people. 

Of course we welcome the efforts of those who choose to volunteer. But on a night like Halloween we all need to look out for each other. Good friends make the best escorts.

- Buddy system: Student government also wants to host programs stressing the importance of traveling in groups. Again a thoughtful proposal but is this really necessary?

We would hope that everyone planning to be out on Franklin Street for Halloween is already aware to the risks of traveling alone. If not here's a reminder: TRAVEL IN GROUPS IT'S IMPORTANT.

Town officials have stressed that no matter what new steps are taken in regard to Halloween" the town ""cannot guarantee anyone's safety."" They are absolutely right.

A celebration involving more than 80"000 people and let's not kid ourselves copious amounts of alcohol is something we choose to attend while accepting certain risks.

While we appreciate the efforts of our town and student government it is up to all of us to make smart decisions and do what we can as individuals to make Halloween a safe event.