AGENDA #6
to: Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
from: Gregg Jarvies, Police Chief
subject: Halloween 2006 Preliminary Operational Plan
date: September 27, 2006
The purpose of this memorandum is to present the preliminary operational plan for Halloween 2006. While many aspects of the plan are similar to the 2005 plan, we have added several features in an effort to further enhance public safety and traffic flow. These measures include:
For more than two decades Chapel Hill residents, University students and out of town visitors have celebrated Halloween night in the downtown area. In 2005, more than 50,000 people gathered in the downtown area. Approximately 365 police officers from Chapel Hill and from other state, county and municipal agencies were assigned to that event as were over 100 other Town and county employees. The cost to the Town was $197,000.
Over the last few years the tenor of the crowds that have attended large events such as Halloween, NCAA celebrations and Apple Chill has changed. While a large majority of those who attend these gatherings are well-behaved, we have observed that many of those who remain at the end of the events have contributed to an increase in fights, assaults, reports of gunfire and instances of vandalism.
We have established an operational plan to manage the event in a manner that is intended to protect the public, minimize the impact of the event on nearby residential neighborhoods, keep incidents of property damage to a minimum, and which would not adversely affect the delivery of services throughout the Town.
The 2006 Halloween event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 31. The scheduled hours are from 9:00 PM through 1:30 AM. We anticipate between 50,000 to 70,000 people will attend the event. Experience has shown us that the peak crowd size may be as large as 50,000 people. This generally occurs between 11:00 PM and midnight and gradually diminishes after that time.
The event’s boundaries will extend from the intersection of East Franklin Street and Raleigh Street to the intersection of West Franklin Street and Roberson Street. South Columbia Street will also be closed to traffic from Rosemary Street to Cameron Avenue. Cameron Avenue and Rosemary Street will be open to vehicular traffic, though likely will be very congested. Compared to 2005, this year’s perimeter is two blocks longer on West Franklin Street. Safety checkpoints will be in place to prevent alcohol, weapons and other dangerous or potentially dangerous materials from being brought into the closed area.
This year approximately 400 officers will work the event, including motorcycle and mounted units from neighboring agencies. The additional officers and specialty units are necessary to provide preventive foot patrols, traffic direction and high levels of visibility inside and outside the event’s perimeter. They will also enhance the safety of all visitors, particularly in light of the increased number of fights and disturbances that have occurred at recent large-scale downtown events. Highway light standards will also be positioned throughout the event site to improve visibility.
Officers from approximately 14 municipal and state agencies will assist the Town this year. Orange County Emergency Management Services, the Chapel Hill Fire Department, Public Works and Chapel Hill Transit will provide over 100 additional employees. Approximately 90 private parking monitors will be assigned to parking and traffic control duties in the event area and on most residential streets adjacent to the event site. Chapel Hill Transit will provide shuttle buses from four park and ride lots to the downtown area. Public Works employees will handle event set-up and clean-up.
Information regarding the Halloween event, including traffic patterns, street closings and shuttle services will be distributed by direct mail to businesses and residents of affected areas. This information will also be distributed to all local media outlets.
We anticipate that the total cost to the Town for this event will be approximately $220,000.
Town staff members, particularly those in the Police, Fire, Public Works and Transit Departments, have extensive experience in managing events such as Halloween. The plans that are in place to manage this year’s event have been developed to protect life and property, to provide the most efficient traffic flow practicable, to mitigate the impact of the event on surrounding residential neighborhoods and to help event visitors have an enjoyable time.