The Town of Chapel Hill continues its preparation efforts for the night of Halloween with the focus on safety for people and property.
“We launch a massive cooperative effort to encourage safety at Halloween on Franklin Street,” said Town Manager Roger Stancil. “We are in this together – Town, University, students, businesses and residents – in support of our community and its many visitors.”
Preparation efforts begin on Nov. 1 every year as lessons learned are added to the plan for response. Halloween in Chapel Hill is not a promoted event; it is a community safety response to a large crowd gathering on Franklin Street.
The Chapel Hill Police Department has reached out to more than a dozen law enforcement agencies from around our region for assistance. There will be more than 200 police officers at the event. One major safety concern relates to the overconsumption of alcohol. In previous years, medical treatment calls for alcohol-related issues have reached upwards of 80.
Alcohol checkpoints will be in place, and DWI enforcement on the perimeter of the event will be in place.
“We will utilize every resource at our disposal to provide the safest setting possible for the ghouls and goblins that make their way to Franklin Street for Halloween this year,” said Chapel Hill Police Chief and Executive Director for Community Safety Chris Blue. “Our goals are the same every year: we want everyone to get home safely at the end of the night and no damage to property.”
The Chapel Hill Fire Department also receives assistance from area fire and emergency medical departments.
“We are extremely thankful for our regional partners who answer the call to boost our numbers every year for Halloween,” said Fire Chief Matt Sullivan. “We hope we don’t have to respond to calls within the closed event; we’re glad to have the resources when we do.”
For more information about prohibited items, parking, street closures and transportation, visit the Town of Chapel Hill website.
Published Oct. 27, 2017