The University of Arizona Police Department will have more patrol officers on duty Saturday for Halloween to handle an expected increase in activity, officials said.

“”There will be extra police for sure Saturday than we would have in a typical day due to announced parties,”” said UAPD Sgt. Keith Brittain. “”If there’s enough parties on campus, extra officers are deployed to help deal with extra calls generated.””

Brittain said on Halloween there is usually an increase in call load as well as alcohol violations, medical assists, assaults and pranks.

“”It ranges from traditional toilet papering to some of the more damaging, like eggs thrown at vehicles,”” he said.

Brittain didn’t know whether there would be an increase in activity this particular Halloween as a result of it falling on a Saturday.

In addition to extra patrol officers, there will be UAPD officers hired for parties throughout the campus.

“”There are some hired by the fraternities for parties,”” he said. “”Any hired (policemen) directly by Greek life will stay at party areas and any extra (policemen) will be available to cover the entire campus.””

Brittain didn’t know the extra number of officers who will be on duty Saturday.

UAPD spokesman Sgt. Juan Alvarez said UAPD will be “”more aware”” of any suspicious activity on Saturday because it’s Halloween.

“”We’ll obviously be paying attention to surrounding neighborhoods to make sure we provide a safer environment for everyone,”” he said. “”We pay attention to people walking around to make sure they’re safe.””

Brittain also laid to rest a police urban legend that there’s an increased amount of crime when a full moon falls on or around Halloween.

“”That’s a myth out there that it does happen, but at least in our department we haven’t found that to be the case,”” he said.

— Michelle Cohen