Boston Police Department Halloween Letter 2025

The message below was sent to the Boston community from the Boston Police Department on October 21, 2025. Find a PDF copy here. 

Dear Students,

The Boston Police Department reaches out to College and University communities within our city several times throughout the year in preparation of special events in order to provide safety tips and guidance. We hope these communications are helpful. For those students who choose to celebrate Halloween please see the information below to take extra precautions to keep safe.

  • If you see something, say something! Call for help if a situation seems questionable or if someone’s safety is at risk. Timely calls to 9-1-1 help solve crimes. By taking action, you may prevent a crime from being committed and help keep you or others safe.
  • Patrols in and around college campuses will increase during the weekend of Halloween and on Halloween itself for everyone’s safety. Please try to stay with friends and look out for one another.
  • If you are under the age of 21, do not consume alcohol. Alcohol consumption, or providing alcohol to anyone under 21 is an arrestable offense.
  • Drinking in public, regardless of your age, is an arrestable offense. The Boston Police Department maintains open lines of communication with all local colleges and universities. Any student arrested will not only face criminal charges, but will also be subject to penalties imposed by their academic institution.
  • Drink spiking can occur. We caution anyone drinking alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages at a bar or party to keep their drink with them at all times, cover it when possible to avoid anything being dropped into it, and to only accept a drink from a trusted source (bartender, server or friend). If you think you have been a victim of drink spiking or see someone in distress, please do not hesitate to call 9-1-1.

Again, we share this information to keep you safe. Please visit www.BPDnews.com for more information and follow us on Facebook, IG, X/Twitter and Blue Sky.

On behalf of the Boston Police Department, have a safe and happy Halloween!

Sincerely,

Michael A. Cox
Police Commissioner