ODESSA, Texas — As Halloween draws near, concerns about safety at house parties are on the rise in Odessa and Midland.
The Odessa Police Department (OPD) is urging young adults and their parents to stay vigilant during holiday gatherings.
Corporal Steven LeSueur, the community relations officer with OPD, said the department's focus is on keeping people safe, not just writing tickets.
"Our goal isn't to issue as many citations as possible," LeSueur said. "Our goal is to save lives and prevent serious injuries."
As the holiday season approaches and students take time off, parties tend to increase—and so do the risks.
“There have been times in the past where we've responded to incidents where teenagers were killed after leaving underage drinking parties," LeSueur said. "It's something we take very seriously.”
Police are asking the community to stay aware, especially at large gatherings. One key reminder: underage drinking is illegal, and Odessa has a social host ordinance to reinforce that.
“The social host ordinance applies to anyone hosting a party with underage drinking," LeSueur explained. "Whether you own the house, rent it, or are even out of town, you can still get a citation if an underage drinking party happens at your place.”
If you're at a party and see any sign of trouble, police say to call 911 immediately. For parents, it’s essential to stay in constant contact with your teens.
"Have a plan—always know who they're with, where they’re going, and when they’ll be home," LeSueur said. "You don't want to be left not knowing where they are. Stay connected, have a plan, and act on it."
In addition to party safety, OPD offers CRAZE training to the public. CRAZE stands for Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events, but the training covers much more.
LeSueur said OPD offers CRAZE trainings for schools, businesses and churches.
"It teaches people what to do in emergencies—not just during active shooter situations, but also fires, bomb threats, or other serious events," LeSueur said. "It's an excellent resource for anyone who requests it."
No matter the situation, Odessa police hopes that everyone celebrates responsibly and ensures that every teen makes it home safely at the end of the night.
For more information on safety tips or to request a CRAZE training session, reach out to OPD through their website.