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The Daily Tar Heel

Hillsborough fosters safety in night out

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Hana Haidar, 19, a sophomore English major from Chapel Hill, and Duncan Dorris, 20, a sophomore biology major from Asheville, play jump rope with 4-year-old Isaiah Alston at Hillsborough Night Out. Haidar and Dorris are part of UNC's Habitat for Humanity Community Outreach and Advocacy committee. "We want to connect with the community beyond building houses," Haidar said.

Hillsborough residents mingled with town officials, community watch groups and McGruff the Crime Dog on the lawn of the Old Orange County Courthouse Thursday evening.

The focus of the annual Community Night Out was informing residents about town safety programs and strengthening relationships between officials and residents.

“We can’t do our jobs without the community doing theirs,” said Cpl. Tereasa King, Hillsborough’s community policing coordinator, who organized the event.

Representatives from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Orange County Fire Department and Orange County Emergency Services also participated.

Dorothy Johnson, president of Fairview Community Watch, said she has seen safety in her neighborhood improve since a community watch was formed.

She said the neighborhood’s crime rates have fallen as its relationship with the police department has improved.

“A big step toward getting better is feedback from the community,” said Hillsborough Police Chief Duane Hampton during the event’s question and answer forum.

Gayane Chambless, coordinator for the Orange Partnership for Alcohol and Drug Free Youth, attended the event to raise awareness among parents about underage drinking.

“This event is a great way to network,” Chambless said.

The night out provided an opportunity for members of different community watches to connect and inform neighborhoods across Hillsborough about recent crime trends.

“Crime statistics — as far as break-ins and larcenies — are way down in comparison to last year,” said Butch Clark, Orange County deputy of community watch.

He credits community watch groups with much of this progress.

“We get calls every day from our community watch members reporting activity in the neighborhoods,” Clark said.

Residents at the event voiced their concerns face to face.

“Events like this give the community a chance to come together, find out what is happening in the community, and meet police officers,” Johnson said.

Contact the desk editor at city@dailytarheel.com.

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