DeKALB –After a homecoming pop-up party and shooting occurred on Sept. 29 at Illinois State University’s campus, NIU Police will have increased safety measures during NIU’s homecoming week.

NIU’s homecoming week occurs Oct. 13 through Oct. 20. Some events that will be included are a block party in downtown DeKalb on Oct. 17 and the homecoming football game against Toledo on Oct. 19.

On Sept. 29 at a homecoming pop-up party at Illinois State University, a shooting occurred, leaving one person killed and another critically wounded, according to The Vidette, ISU’s student newspaper.

NIU Chief of Police Darren Mitchell gave tips on how to stay safe during homecoming weekend.

Mitchell said there is no information that a shooting or anything similar would happen during NIU’s homecoming weekend.

“There’s no information that we have right now that will lead us to believe that our homecoming is going to be anything other than safe,” Mitchell said. “So our police department is prepared, as we always are, in order to take care of and keep our campus community safe, and the events that are planned during homecoming– which we know there’s going to be a lot of people on campus, alums, visitors, obviously our students, our faculty, our staff – but we definitely are anticipating a safe homecoming that we’ve had for years now and nothing will change.” 

Mitchell said there are measures in place to keep homecoming events safe.

“Well, normally, when it comes to homecoming, because of the larger population that is here on campus, we work with, obviously, our partners in the DeKalb Police Department in order to plan and make sure we have the resources available in order to deal with things like, there’ll be increased traffic, obviously, vehicle traffic, foot traffic,” Mitchell said. “There’ll be people that’ll be enjoying themselves, you know, at our football game and different events that will be occurring on campus and downtown DeKalb. So in those planning efforts we just make sure that we have enough police resources, whether it is uniformed officers and different technology that we use in order to monitor the events and make sure that everything is safe as well as, let me say this too, because we work with DeKalb city police and also the state police when it’s necessary.”

Mitchell also said there will be an increased police presence throughout many of the homecoming events as well. Mitchell also said people should drink responsibly and not do substances if underage.

“One of the things that I would like to make sure that I promote that is if you see something, say something. Our Police Department operates 24/7, and you can call us at any time. If you see any suspicious behavior, give us a call, and we will make sure that we come out and we address whatever concern one of our students, faculty or staff may have,” Mitchell said.“I know that you know people might be consuming alcoholic beverages, right? And so you just want to make sure that you don’t do things like over consume. First of all, (to) underage drinkers, don’t drink. You don’t want them drinking or using any other type of intoxicating materials, substances. And also we want to make sure that you don’t consume alcohol in excess, where you’re not in control of your faculties.”