Serving the students and the Unversity community since 1893

Wednesday December 2nd

Public Safety

Customers walk into The Purple Bowl on Nov. 5 2020, one of the businesses that has been a victim to recent break-ins.

Chapel Hill experienced an increase in breaking and entering cases during October

By Trevor Moore | Nov. 12

Nine businesses were broken into in Chapel Hill and Carrboro during the month of October. Some of the businesses that were broken into include Breadmen's, The Pig, Chapel Hill Wine Company, Epilogue and Carrburitos, according to Chapel Hill and Carrboro police reports. Ran Northam, Interim Communications Manager for the Town of Chapel Hill, said a slight spike in the number of forcible break-ins to Chapel Hill businesses is likely an anomaly.

Carrboro Town Council votes to end participation in federal policing program

By Dair McNinch | Nov. 10

Since the pandemic started, the Chapel Hill Crisis Unit has been directing people who are homeless to stay day and night on the top of Wallace Parking Deck located on Rosemary Street.

New street outreach program reimagines public safety, homelessness in Orange County

By Emmy Trivette | Oct. 19

Screenshot from the virtually-held Community Policing Advisory Committee's roundtable.

Chapel Hill residents and officials discuss policing in public roundtable meeting

By Elsa Karcher | Sep. 30

A police car parked on Franklin Street flashes its lights on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020.

UNC Police respond to hit and run involving student, ends in shots fired

By Maddie Ellis | Sep. 26

An off-campus house on Franklin Street pictured on Sunday, May 17, 2020.

What you need to know if you're facing evictions amid the pandemic in Orange County

By Brian Rosenzweig | Sep. 21

Chapel Hill Police vehicles standby at the Chapel Hill Police Department on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020. The Chapel Hill Police Department has increased their patrols in and around UNC's campus in response to the sexual assault in the Shortbread Lofts parking deck on Sept. 13, 2019.

Chapel Hill Police bans chokeholds after council request and public support

By Trevor Moore | Sep. 17

The Chapel Hill Police Department's announced Wednesday a new policy that specifically bans chokeholds. This policy change comes after the police department failed to update the policy after a June town council meeting.

Heel Talk Episode 20: How UNC and Chapel Hill are holding students accountable

By Evely Forte and Praveena Somasundaram | Sep. 8

On this episode of Heel Talk, host Evely Forte talks to assistant online Praveena Somasundaram and University Desk staff writer Sara Raja about how the University and Town of Chapel Hill are holding students — found in violation of University and/or state guidelines — accountable.

Chapel Hill Bible Church hosts an outdoor service on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, churches have adapted to other forms of congregation, such as outdoor services and Zoom meetings. Photo courtesy of Chapel Hill Bible Church.

Local churches adapt in response to COVID-19 guidance

By Sally Curme | Sep. 2

Some churches in the area have transitioned to virtual services, while others are holding outdoor services. "It's like learning to juggle when you've never juggled before," said Mark Hampton, a minister at Chapel Hill Bible Church.

DTH Photo Illustration of students partying in an off-campus house. Governor Roy Cooper made an executive order prohibiting indoor gatherings of over 10 people, an order that several groups of students have already been cited for.

Chapel Hill Police cite four UNC students for violating COVID-19 safety regulations

By Kayleigh Carpenter and Sonia Rao | Aug. 27

The Chapel Hill Police Department issued four Class 2 misdemeanors to UNC students for violating Gov. Roy Cooper's executive order.

Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger speaks during a Chapel Hill Town Council Work Session at the Chapel Hill Public Library on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020.

Chapel Hill to see increased police patrols to enforce social distancing

By Brittany McGee | Aug. 13

Violations of state or local safer-at-home recommendations could be punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and up to 60 days in jail for repeat violators, according to a statement released by the Town of Chapel Hill.

Two Chapel Hill police officers walk east on Franklin Street on Sunday, June 7, 2020.

Chapel Hill policing advisory committee talks racial equity, policing alternatives

By Suzannah Claire Perry | Jul. 15

At its July 14 virtual meeting, Chapel Hill's Community Policing Advisory Committee heard two presentations about clinically based policing alternatives and discussed its role in light of a recent Chapel Hill Town Council resolution to work toward racial equity.

A group of friends convene on Franklin Street on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, all wearing masks in accordance with COVID-19 public health requirements.

'Tonight was really about listening': Local community members talk race, justice in panel

By Lilly Clark | Jul. 1

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.

David Mason Jr. speaks at the Juneteenth Rally on Saturday, June 27, 2020.

A rally, reflections and a rain check: Organizers host delayed Juneteenth celebration

By Alexandra Smith | Jun. 28

“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.”

Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. is one of the designated Opportunity Zones in Orange County, along with South Estes Drive, that was approved by the Town of Chapel Hill on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Tree falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., killing one

By Suzannah Claire Perry | Jun. 28

One Chapel Hill man was found dead at the scene by Chapel Hill Police and Fire Departments.

A Chapel Hill Police Officer stands guard at the Chapel Hill protest hosted by Black Congress on Friday, June 15, 2020.

'It doesn’t literally mean zero police': An academic approach to police reform

By Elizabeth Egan | Jun. 22

“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.

Protestors march past a Police Officer in Chapel Hill on Friday, June 12, 2020 during a protest against police brutality.

Protesters talk education, systemic racism at Black Lives Matter March & Rally

By Suzannah Claire Perry | Jun. 15

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.

Residents speak out about police funding at Chapel Hill Town Council meeting

By Taylor Heeden | Jun. 12

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.

Orange County Commissioner Renee Price speaks at a previous Assembly of Governors meeting at the Whitted Building in Hillsborough on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2019.

County Commissioners approve funds for inmate re-entry housing at June 9 meeting

By Dylan Cole Phillips | Jun. 11

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.

UNC Black Congress's initial Tweet on Monday, June 1, 2020 warning against attending the Chapel Hill Day of Action Protest that occurred on Wednesday, June 3. The organization encouraged that people attend Durham's protest on Monday, June 1, and later arranged their own protest on Friday, June 5.

Student activists raise concerns about contacting police before protests

By Suzannah Claire Perry | Jun. 9

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.