AGENDA #5e

 

MEMORANDUM

 

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Halloween 2003 Preliminary Operational Plan  

 

DATE:             September 8, 2003

 

 

This purpose of this memorandum is to present the preliminary operational plan for Halloween 2003.

 

BACKGROUND

 

For the past twenty-five years, Chapel Hill residents and visitors have celebrated Halloween night in the downtown area.

 

In the past few years, the crowd size has increased significantly causing extreme traffic congestion, parking problems, and public safety issues.  In 2002, shuttle busses were used at Halloween for the first time. Approximately 10,100 passengers rode the shuttles. The effect was a noticeable decrease in motor vehicle traffic and illegal parking.   On October 31, 2002, approximately 70,000 people gathered in the central business district.  More than 200 police officers from Chapel Hill and surrounding agencies, over 100 other town employees, and 50 civilian contract workers were assigned to the event.   The cost to the Town was about $113,000.   

 

PROPOSAL FOR HALLOWEEN 2003

 

It is important that the Halloween event be managed in a way that protects the public, minimizes the impact on the surrounding neighborhoods, and does not adversely affect the delivery of the Town’s normal services. 

 

To achieve these goals in 2003 we intend to use a plan similar to that of Halloween 2002. 

 

• The boundaries of the event will be Franklin Street between Raleigh Street and Mallette Street, and Columbia Street between Cameron Avenue and Rosemary Street. Cameron Avenue and Rosemary Street will remain open to motor vehicle traffic.  Streets will be closed at approximately 9:00 PM.    

 

• Public parking lots in the downtown area will remain open. 

 

• Motor vehicle traffic will be diverted at intersections within one or two blocks of the crowd barricades.

 

• Shuttle buses will operate from outlying areas.

 

• In an effort to prevent illegal parking, littering, and vandalism, access to residential neighborhoods adjacent to the downtown area will be restricted to residents and guests.

 

• If needed, a limited state of emergency may be requested to allow for enhanced crowd management, special traffic control measures, and other public safety measures.

 

• Safety checkpoints will be in place to prevent alcohol, weapons, and other dangerous or potentially dangerous materials from being brought into the closed area.

 

DISCUSSION

 

The preliminary plan being developed by the Police Department for Halloween 2003, has taken into consideration the suggestions and concerns expressed since last year’s event.  The area restricted to residents and guests will be expanded to include Westwood Drive, McCauley Street, and Boundary Street.  The plan will contain sufficient management controls to protect the venue and the event participants.  October 31^st is a Friday.  We anticipate that the crowd size could be 75,000-80,000.   Preliminary estimates indicate that the number of law enforcement officers, other town employees, and contract workers needed for 2003 will increase by approximately ten percent.  The event will cost the Town approximately $125,000.  

 

CONCLUSION

 

The specific details of the Halloween 2003 plan are currently under development.  We have begun contacting law enforcement agencies across the state to request assistance.  University and Carrboro officials will be involved with us in planning the event because the event significantly impacts both jurisdictions.