Safety Street: UDM Halloween Tradition
In 1990 the University of Detroit Mercy chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) started Safety Street out of the concern for the safety of neighborhood children. The first Safety Street was set up at Kassab Mall where the architecture students created cardboard facades for neighborhood kids to get their treats. Local schools and daycare centers were invited to participate. Now the Halloween tradition has expanded to take over the whole fountain area in front of the student center. It involves all the fraternities, sororities, student groups and various college departments to provide candy and games for all the neighborhood children. Even the School of Dentistry participates by giving out free toothpaste, toothbrushes and dental floss. In the past well over 400 children would come dressed up in their Halloween costumes to this free event.
