BIPOC community members shared real stories about policing, race and justice in Chatham and Orange counties in a digital panel held by local government stakeholders and community organizers.
“On behalf of the Chapel Hill Nine, I am privileged to say welcome to the movement,” David Mason, an original Chapel Hill Nine member, told the crowd. “You are what we've been waiting for.”
One Chapel Hill man was found dead at the scene by Chapel Hill Police and Fire Departments.
“Regardless of if the police budget changes in the future, we need to put money into social services that have been underfunded in the past because they do serve a great need for our community,” Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue said.
At the fourth protest in Chapel Hill in the past two weeks, students, teachers and community leaders alike joined to talk about the role of education in systemic racism, and changes they want to see in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.
In a public comment period lasting over two hours, Chapel Hill residents expressed their concerns about the portion of police funding represented within the Town Council's 2020-2021 fiscal year budget.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved a measure to outsource funding to a local nonprofit to facilitate a way for inmates to re-enter society.
Last week, UNC Black Congress posted on social media that the organizers of a June 3 Chapel Hill protest were in "cahoots" with police, and recommended its members not attend. It recommended they attend two other protests instead, one in Durham and another in Chapel Hill.
The Campus Safety Commission met Wednesday to discuss how University safety and health guidelines will proceed in the fall semester. The commission also finalized a statement that was sent out the following day, which acknowledged the role of systemic racism in acts of police brutality and expressed the commission's intent to continue to foster safety and justice on campus.
Orange County added an amendment to its emergency declaration, enforcing guidelines in addition to Governor Roy Cooper’s Phase 2 executive order. Under the amendment, business employees must wear facial coverings and businesses should ask customers to wear facial coverings or masks.
Several N.C. groups filed a lawsuit to protect incarcerated people from the coronavirus. The lawsuit seeks to allow an early release for those most at risk and argues that the actions taken by the N.C. Department of Public Safety are not effective enough.
Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue said his own department has focused on educating, not punishing, residents who they find may be in violation of the order.
While most are sheltered in their homes, essential personnel like firefighters, policemen and medical workers continue to provide community services. How are these workers staying safe from COVID-19?
Ran Northam, community safety communications specialist for the Town of Chapel Hill, confirmed in an email that Chapel Hill police have increased their patrols near student housing areas, but there haven’t been any increases in break-ins since spring break.
Orange County's criminal justice system disadvantages low-income residents, according to a new report by the Orange County Bail/Bond Justice Project. Work is being done, though, to make the system more just.
"We wanted to do artistic crosswalks to increase the visibility and draw drivers' attention."
"Patrols were stepped up directly around that apartment complex and throughout Downtown. We even worked with UNC Police to make sure there was plenty of information sharing and assistance where needed."
North Carolina is officially the last state to adopt the Raise the Age law, but what does the law entail?
At the last meeting of the Chapel Hill Community Policing Advisory Committee, several key issues were discussed such as campus safety, data tracking and availability and community listening sessions.
Here's how campus and Chapel Hill police have reacted to the changes in campus crime, and where they see potential concerns.
