Fewer arrests, injuries reported on Franklin Street

Chapel Hill, N.C. — Chapel Hill officials reported fewer arrests and injuries compared with last year after Friday night's scaled back Halloween celebration on Franklin Street.

About 35,000 people came out to party, as opposed to more than 80,000 people last year.

City officials wanted the crowd scaled back after spending about $221,000 for security, cleanup, crowd control, emergency medical care and other expenses last year.

Town officials promoted this year's "Homegrown Halloween" as a way to cut down on costs and to help improve safety. Residents and students were welcomed to party, but out-of-towners were discouraged from heading to Franklin Street.

By the end of the night Friday, police arrested four people for simple affray and one person for impersonating an officer. Last year, police arrested 13 people and reported numerous fights, including drunken and disorderly behavior.

Orange County Emergency Medical Services responded to 18 alcohol overdose calls and took nine people to UNC Hospitals on Friday night. Last year, EMS responded to 31 calls and took eight people to the hospital.

Franklin Street was clear of party-goers by 12:30 a.m.

The town manager welcomes comments and suggestions about Friday night's event. People can call the town from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at 968-2743 or e-mail publicaffairs@townofchapelhill.org.

Things were calm on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh Friday night, police said. Several citations were issued for underage drinking and open containers and a handful of people were arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice.

Raleigh Police estimate the crowd between 11 p.m. and midnight, the peak hour, was about 6,500 people.