Campus Police are treating the Halloween activities on Hillsborough Street tonight as it would any other night, despite the advent of the Haunted Hillsborough Hike this year, Capt. Jon Barnwell said.

“It’s typically treated like a normal evening,” Barnwell said.

According to Barnwell, there will be police stationed in their typical posts around town and will respond to situations if they arise, but they will not be making stops specifically because of Halloween festivities.

The police do not intend to stop people from having a good time “as long as they’re enjoying it responsibly and of age,” he said.

East Village Bar & Grill will be increasing its security with an off-duty police officer and two guards at the door, according to Jo Smith, bar manager.

“[Halloween] was on a Tuesday last year, and the turnout was pretty good,” Smith said. “We’re hoping a lot of people will come out from the hype of the Hike.”

The participating businesses are sponsoring a costume contest at the East Village with a prize of $500.

“We haven’t done a costume contest in a few years, but we’re not the only sponsor,” she said.

David Foxx, a senior in political science and history, said he agreed this year looked to be different than years past on Hillsborough.

“This is the first year I think people have made a concerted effort to go to Hillsborough Street and stay in Raleigh,” he said. “Most people I’ve ever heard [from] went to Chapel Hill or Greenville [for Halloween].”

In the past, most people have just assumed everyone was going elsewhere, he said.

Zach Adams, a senior in industrial engineering and economics, said this will be his first Halloween on Hillsborough Street and the first time he has heard of anyone going to Hillsborough for the holiday.

“If it’s anything like the Hillsborough Hike, it’s going to be a blast,” he said.

Adams said his entire fraternity is going, and the turnout should at least equal that of past Hillsborough Hikes because there will be more involvement from underclassmen.

But he said he does not foresee the turnout causing any safety issues.

Jared McCormick, senior in construction engineering and management, said he has never been to Hillsborough Street for Halloween, but has seen a strong police presence at other Hillsborough Hikes he has been on.

“I definitely felt safe,” he said.

Barnwell said there had not been any problems in the past with safety, and he does not see any difference this year.

“It is a time of the year where people want to celebrate, but we want to encourage them to be responsible and be safe,” he said.