Observations of Another Halloween in Chico

The following was written by Officer Lori Kligerman. Lori is a 18 year veteran of the Chico Police Department. She is currently a School Resource Officer assigned to Chico Sr and Jr High Schools. Lori was one of my training officers when I started as a Reserve Officer 12 years ago. Her observations about Halloween ring true for many of us at Chico PD.

As I geared up for yet another mandatory overtime Halloween shift in Chico, I realized that in 18 years, I haven't spent very many Halloween evenings with my family. At first, it didn't matter too much, but after my child was born, close to Halloween I might add, I realized that about the only Halloween I had off was when I gave birth to my baby. I really wanted to be home trick or treating with my child, who is fast approaching puberty, and probably won't want her Mom with her for these types of events for much longer. I know I have a duty to my chosen profession, so I bid my family farewell and started my shift protecting life and property in the south campus area.

I decided I would have a good attitude, despite my child's plea of, "Don't go to work, just tell them you're not going." I was partnered up with a fellow School Resource Officer, a dear friend who told me he has only spent one Halloween with his child, who is also fast approaching puberty. We have worked together many times over the last 18 years, and it was going to be a good night.

I was saddened to see that the local chapter of the ACLU was out in droves, seemingly bent on uncovering some sort of civil rights violations they perceived the police were committing. Last time I checked, I was sworn to uphold the constitution, a duty I take very seriously.

As the night progressed, my partner and I witnessed hundreds of intoxicated young adults parading around in their costumes. Most were out to have a good time, but there were always a number of people who crossed the line and others who prayed upon innocent people. So there we were, responding to fights, reported stabbings, reports of firearms that were being displayed in public, crashes, and the list goes on.

The ACLU was there almost every time we jumped out of our car. I welcomed their presence after a while and I hoped they would see first hand just how hard our job was, and how professional our department handled itself. But everyone views the world through their own filter, so I really don't know how they perceived the events they witnessed.

As the night wore on, we were contacted by a near hysterical female. She relayed to us through slurred speech that she threw a party which got out of hand. Her house was now over run by intoxicated people she did not know. She asked us (the police) to clear her house of about 100 unwanted intoxicated subjects.

We assisted the female with her request. In a back bedroom, we located a scantily clad costumed, intoxicated under age female, who was passed out, vomit dripping from her mouth. Initially, no one claimed to know her. One intoxicated male said he would take care of her, though he could not tell us her name. The passed out female was not responsive, so we summoned medical aid as she had obviously overdosed on alcohol.

One associate of the resident claimed the non responsive female showed up to the party in her current state. My thought, highly unlikely. He did not want to take responsibility for the overdose.

The female was removed from the residence in a stretcher by medical personnel. Outside the residence, a recently retired Lieutenant who was now working as a Reserve Officer, stood in the pouring rain with an arrestee. They were waiting for a transport unit. The ACLU was close by as well. I wished they knew that the retired Lt. put in his 30+ years in Law Enforcement and was not required to be on duty as I was. He chose to assist, knowing he had many years of experience dealing with Halloween in Chico and we could no doubt need his help.

His arrestee was intoxicated and unleashing a barrage of obscenities at my former boss. I decided to assist, and let his arrestee chew on my ear for awhile, giving the Lt. a much needed break from the incessant chatter. The arrestee was putting on quite a show for the ACLU. He voluntarily dropped to his knees, then proned himself out on the soaking wet roadway. This show went on as we waited in the rain for our transport unit, which was undoubtedly delayed due to the high volume of customers.

While we stood there, I commented to a fellow officer that we had to be there, but the retired Lt. chose to come out tonight in the pouring rain. My co worker turned to me and said, "Deep down, we have all chosen to be here." I thought about it for a moment, and then realized he was right. I did make that choice over 18 years ago!


I, too, was aware of the constant presence of people in yellow ACLU shirts. Their stated purpose was that of observers. They rushed to watch every action we took that night in the South Campus. Every time I looked, they were furiously scribbling notes. I couldn't help but shake my head at the mentality that presumes that the Police so routinely violate the civil rights of the citizenry that their presence is critical to keep us in check. I suspect that they were openly wishing to catch us in some sort of excess so they could justify their existence. I am confident that all they saw and documented were repeated instances of professional and restrained responses to excesses in behavior that should embarrass a town like Chico. Unfortunately, people see what they want to see. I'm afraid that the image they probably saw was best reflected by the costume in this photo.




A meeting of minds.