It is not a trick: I.V. Foot Patrol officers are treating students to a friendly question-and-answer session this weekend at Embarcadero Hall to prepare them for the upcoming Halloween festivities.

The IVFP will host its annual forum to educate students on the increased safety measures that will go into effect during the holiday week. The meeting, which will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, features a panel of officers who will discuss such issues as how to avoid a public intoxication arrest and where residents can park their cars.

“The goal of the meeting is to answer questions people may have to help educate members of the community about what will be happening, such as the closing off of roads and placing barricades that will stop traffic into Del Playa [Road],” IVFP Lt. Sol Linver said.

Linver said police become increasingly concerned about safety during the Halloween season, including over problems with sexual assault. Additionally, he said the officers will suggest ways for students to protect themselves from drunken out-of-towners, vandalism and burglary.

“I understand people are going to party, but do it safely and responsibly,” Linver said. “We are going to have zero-tolerance enforcement out here.”

Linver said he will also remind students to inform out-of-town guests about laws unique to I.V. in order to save them from a night in jail.

“Last year, over 75 percent of arrests made were not local residents,” he said. “There are people that come solely to victimize the students, such as gang members and people that just want to start fights. Groups of people will come here just to commit burglaries by gaining entrance to homes through parties and looking for iPods and computers.”

Beyond prevention, Linver said students should understand what to do in case of an emergency. Students should not hesitate to call 9-1-1 if they are concerned about someone’s safety, especially if the person has symptoms of alcohol poisoning.

“Last year we had approximately 40 people that suffered from alcohol poisoning,” he said. “If someone has alcohol poisoning we want them to get the medical attention they need. We will have search-and-rescue teams out here. We will also have extra ambulances available.”

In order to spare I.V. car owners hundreds of dollars in replacing side-view mirrors, university and police officials will address the issue of parking over the holiday. Parking will not be allowed on Del Playa Drive or the 1000 block of El Embarcadero starting at noon on Friday, Oct. 27 until Sunday, Oct. 29 at 4 a.m. Parking is also banned on those streets from noon on the day of Halloween until Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 4 a.m.

The university will open campus parking lots to students over the weekend, Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities Management Marc Fisher said.

“Traffic will be carefully controlled and certain roads will have checkpoints designed to keep the campus quiet and safe,” Fisher said.