This weekend brought more than tricks or treats as Longwood University students celebrated Halloween. Chief of the Farmville Police Department (FPD) Doug Mooney reported on any incidents that occurred over the course of the weekend, but despite any of the following incidents he commented on, he said, “We had no problems at all.”
Mooney said that there was one noise complaint at a house on Buffalo Street. When a police officer from the Farmville Police Department (FPD) went to the location where the noise complaint was, Mooney reported that “everyone complied” and turned the music down with no arrests made.
The only other noise complaint that Mooney said occurred was at “an off-campus housing area.” The noise complaint regarded someone with their music too loud in their vehicle. Mooney reported that no arrests were made and that the person complied by turning down their stereo.
Mooney stated that Longwood University students gave information to the FPD on possible pranks that would occur on Halloween.
“We were able to take some measures to prevent things that would have or could have potentially hurt somebody,” Mooney said.
Mooney gave information on one prank that the students informed them about. Allegedly, students planned to freeze eggs and throw them at vehicles. In reaction to this warning, the FPD increased patrols at student housing and at Farmville Area Bus (FAB) stops. He added that such a prank could have greatly harmed a person, caused a car crash or caused property damage.
Mooney stated that only one Longwood University student was arrested during the course of the weekend. Reportedly, the student was intoxicated at McDonald’s and danced on the roof of one of the cars at the location.
“He didn’t even know who owned it ...We probably prevented him from getting assaulted because they [the driver] were going after him when the officer saw all this,” Mooney said.
Despite this incident, for the four years that Mooney has worked for the FPD, he reported that this year’s Halloween weekend had the fewest calls per service involving students from Longwood University.
Mooney reported that every year’s Halloween holiday typically brings six or so noise complaints. This year, Mooney said that there were only two.
Mooney said, “I’ve heard tales that things used to be a whole lot more crazy, and not only Longwood students, but our permanent residents, and I can tell you, I haven’t really seen a problem since I’ve been here. In fact, the problem has gotten less and less.”
He added, “It was a very quiet night in town, not only with our Longwood students, but with our local residents and guests that visited the Town. It was a very nice evening.” Town Manager of the Town of Farmville Gerry Spates said that he did not hear any complaints about Longwood University students over the course of the weekend.
Spates said, “It was very quiet, and we appreciate all the support we get from the students with helping with our progress downtown.”
Spates said that he appreciated the assistance that student volunteers gave to the Town of Farmville at the Halloween Costume Parade that occurred on Main Street.
“We had a lot of students downtown giving out candy to the kids,” he said.
On parking, there were some complaints from students who described having difficulties in finding available parking spaces over the course of the weekend. One Lancer Park resident who chose to remain anonymous said, “There were so many commuters parked in Lancer Park.”
The student said that when they could not find a parking space near where she lived, she called the LUPD. The student said that she was told by the LUPD that the parking issue would be taken care of. After finding no other parking spaces, the student then parked in a visitor parking space to later find a parking ticket the next day with the price of $50.
“I’m not going to park a mile from my building when there is a parking spot in the lot that I’m parking at, whether it’s a visitor or not,” the student said.
The student added, “It’s really annoying. I feel like I shouldn’t have so many difficulties finding a parking space when I pay so much money.”
The student commented that there are similar issues with finding parking spaces during events like Oktoberfest and Spring Weekend.
“I feel there should be assigned parking spots,” the student said.
The following reports came from the Daily Crime Log by Tuesday, Nov. 5, as posted on the Police Department webpage on the Longwood University website: On Oct. 31 at 6:17 p.m., there was an incident of possession of marijuana at Cox Hall. The disposition was cleared and unfounded.
There was an incident of drunk in public at Lancer Park. The disposition was cleared and the prosecution was declined on Oct. 31 at 11:12 p.m.
On Nov. 1 at 2:21 p.m., there was an incident of vandalism at Stubbs Parking Lot. The disposition was pending.
There was a hit and run accident at Cox Parking Lot on Nov. 2 at 1:20 a.m. The disposition was pending.
On Nov. 3 at 12:11 a.m., there was an incident of drunk in public and underage possession of alcohol at Fraser Hall. The disposition was cleared with an arrest.
There were three incidents of underage possession of alcohol at Back Hampden-Sydney Road on Nov. 3 at 12:30 a.m. The disposition was cleared, and the subject was referred to Conduct Board.
On Nov. 3 at 2:19 a.m., there was an incident of vandalism at Vernon Street Lot. The disposition was pending.
