October 24, 2025
Dear Members of the University Community,
With Halloween one week away, we want to share important resources and information to help you enjoy the holiday while also staying safe.
Halloween is a time when many members of the UChicago community and our neighbors trick or treat or celebrate on and near campus. Hyde Park tends to have an increased number of visitors during this time, and while most people come to enjoy the holiday, it can also be a time of increased crime throughout the city, including our area.
Our campus is part of a thriving community where many residents are committed to celebrating Halloween safely. Below you will find information on Halloween activities happening on campus and in neighboring areas, as well as some safety-related tips and other information.
We encourage everyone to plan for a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Halloween Safety and Security
- The University has set up an opt-in Halloween-specific alert system to notify anyone who signs up of safety risks or elevated criminal activity on or around campus for Friday evening, October 31. Anyone can sign up for these temporary alerts sent to mobile devices by texting “Halloween2025” to 226787; you do not need a University affiliation to do so.
- You will receive a text notification in the event of a significant neighborhood incident reported to the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) that poses a safety risk.
- This is an opt-in for Halloween only and does not and will not affect your cAlert or security alert preferences. You can manage those preferences on the Department of Safety and Security (DSS) website.
- You will receive a text notification in the event of a significant neighborhood incident reported to the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) that poses a safety risk.
- DSS will increase its staffing for Halloween, assigning additional UCPD officers and Safety Ambassadors to monitor and respond quickly to incidents.
- Our Hyde Park neighbors have set up a “CollaBOOration” effort in which participating residents will leave their outside lights on during Halloween night and lead positive activities on their blocks. The effort includes Hyde Park’s 53rd Street business corridor, with musical performances along the sidewalks and volunteers walking along the corridor giving away treats. Now in its seventh year, CollaBOOration is intended to promote fun and safety while building community.
- As always, when traveling around campus and the neighboring areas on Halloween, you should walk in groups, stay alert, focus on your surroundings, and put away your cellphone and any other electronic device.
- Download the UChicago Safe app on your smartphone. One of its safety features is the ability to send your device’s location to UCPD so that police can be dispatched to your location if you need assistance. The service works anywhere within UCPD’s extended patrol area.
- If you are concerned about your safety as you walk within the UCPD extended patrol area, you can request a safety escort on the UChicago Safe app or by calling 773.702.8181.
- Consider using bus, shuttle, or rideshare options when traveling around campus and the neighboring areas. You can find real-time information about bus and shuttle times and routes through the PassioGo! app or the UChicagoSafe app.
- Visit the University’s safety webpage, including information about pedestrian safety, for additional safety tips, and follow UChicago Safe on social media (Instagram, Facebook, and X) for safety-related updates.
Stay Informed Year-Round
In addition to signing up for the Halloween-specific alert, we strongly encourage everyone to sign up for both types of year-round opt-in safety alerts regarding off-campus crime.
Crime Notices are sent on a timely basis via push notifications on the UChicago Safe app for three types of serious off-campus crimes that are reported to UCPD: homicides, shootings, and patterns of robberies.
The Crime Bulletin, sent once each weekday, provides information about serious crimes that have been reported to UCPD. The Crime Bulletin encompasses a broader set of crimes than the Crime Notices.
Thank you for your help to make this Halloween enjoyable and safe.
Sincerely,
Eric
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Eric M. Heath
Associate Vice President for Safety & Security
Mike
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Michael Hayes
Dean of Students in the University