Public Safety -

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

By Emmy Trivette | October 19

A collaboration between the Orange County Criminal Justice Resource Department and the Partnership to End Homelessness will focus on building relationships ...

Chapel Hill residents and officials discuss policing in public roundtable meeting

By Elsa Karcher | September 30

Members of the Chapel Hill Police Advisory Committee hosted a roundtable to talk about their role with policing in the community.

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

By Maddie Ellis | September 26

UNC Police responded to a hit and run on campus Friday night, according to a statement from Chief David Perry.

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

By Brian Rosenzweig | September 21

Emila Sutton, Orange County's director of housing and community development, said the county has maintained low numbers of eviction hearings. But for ...

Chapel Hill Police bans chokeholds after council request and public support

By Trevor Moore | September 17

The Chapel Hill Police Department's announced Wednesday a new policy that specifically bans chokeholds. This policy change comes after the police department ...

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

By Praveena Somasundaram and Evely Forte | September 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 ...

Local churches adapt in response to COVID-19 guidance

By Sally Curme | September 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 ...

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

By Sonia Rao and Kayleigh Carpenter | August 27

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

Chapel Hill to see increased police patrols to enforce social distancing

By Brittany McGee | August 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, ...

Chapel Hill policing advisory committee talks racial equity, policing alternatives

By Suzannah Claire Perry | July 15

At its July 14 virtual meeting, Chapel Hill's Community Policing Advisory Committee heard two presentations about clinically based policing alternatives ...

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

By Lilly Clark | July 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 ...

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

By Alexandra Smith | June 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. ...

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

By Suzannah Claire Perry | June 28

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

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

By Elizabeth Egan | June 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 ...

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

By Suzannah Claire Perry | June 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 ...

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

By Taylor Heeden | June 12

In a public comment period lasting over two hours, Chapel Hill residents expressed their concerns about the portion of police funding represented within ...

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

By Dylan Cole Phillips | June 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. ...

Student activists raise concerns about contacting police before protests

By Suzannah Claire Perry | June 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 ...

'It's a big job': Campus Safety Commission responds to protests, discusses fall plans

By Greta Travaglia | June 5

The Campus Safety Commission met Wednesday to discuss how University safety and health guidelines will proceed in the fall semester. The commission also ...

Orange County will mandate face coverings for business employees during Phase 2

By Suzannah Claire Perry | May 22

Orange County added an amendment to its emergency declaration, enforcing guidelines in addition to Governor Roy Cooper’s Phase 2 executive order. Under ...