UNC students say stepped up police presence makes them feel safer on Franklin Street
Safety changes on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill are having an impact.
Students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill say a more visible police presence has helped with some of the issues such as aggressive panhandling. Police say compared to pre-COVID days – the last year the university community was all present in-person – assaults in downtown Chapel Hill have decreased, while reports of larceny – specifically bicycle thefts – have increased.
As recently as last fall, students told WRAL News they did not feel safe walking on Franklin Street. Some business owners bought Tasers and body-worn cameras to keep themselves and employees safe.
Students who spoke to WRAL News on Monday said they are still on alert, but appreciated recent changes.
Aubrey Carson is a UNC sophomore who works on Franklin Street.
"I make sure that I'm always either on the phone with somebody or have somebody with me that I trust. I don't really feel the safest, especially during nighttime," she said.
She's been reassured by an increased police presence.
"Not really just police cars but a lot of police officers walking around and checking in on people, which has definitely been a positive sign for me," she said.
Sophomore Jake Prater also works in the area.
"I come here for food, work, and all that, so very often," he said of Franklin Street.
He also notices the visible presence.
"I definitely see our local police officers come in. They talk to me a lot. It kind of looks like they're trying to get more involved in the community, which definitely makes me feel better," he said.
The Chapel Hill Police Department Crisis Unit conducts proactive outreach in the area, and officers have added foot patrols on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The town's Clean and Green team also launched last week. Employees are on the streets weekdays to give directions, clean up trash and monitor the area for any issues.
UNC is also part of the safety push.The university hired a consultant to evaluate campus needs for security such as lighting and cameras. A next step will be to engage with university stakeholders to get their ideas to make the community more safe.
