Citations, patrols abound during Unofficial

 
Carbondale Police Officer Tim McVey writes citations for underage drinking, consumption of an open container and resisting arrest at about 1 a.m. Sunday at the corner of University Avenue and Cherry Street. Party-goers in costumes filled the streets of Carbondale this weekend as part of Unofficial Halloween, leading police to simultaneously increase foot patrols.  McVey wrote the tickets from one of the multiple parking lots observed in and around the Arbor District and The Strip that served as hubs for no fewer than 15 patrol cars Saturday night. Students have taken to celebrating Halloween a week early as The Strip has been shut down during the official holiday since 2000 because of rioting. Sgt. Mark Diedrick also worked the night shift Saturday with McVey and said he wasn’t sure if problems such as underage drinking were a signature of any particular weekend. “This isn’t different from any other day of the week for me,” he said.

Diana Soliwon ~ Daily Egyptian