TO:                  Mayor Kevin C. Foy

                        Members of the Chapel Hill Town Council

FROM:            Chief Derek K. Poarch

                        Director of Public Safety

DATE:             September 26, 2003

SUBJECT:       USA Patriot Act

I am writing concerning a request from the Town Council at its September 22, 2003 meeting asking that I respond as to how the Federal USA Patriot Act has impacted the UNC Chapel Hill, Department of Public Safety. 

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Department of Public Safety have a long standing record of support and protection of civil rights of all persons associated with the University, including protection of free speech, right to assembly, and all due processes afforded by federal and state law.  While the University is required to comply with the USA Patriot Act, we have not been requested to, nor would we, participate in any law enforcement activities that are illegal and designed to infringe upon constitutional rights or liberties.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to address this question as it relates to UNC Chapel Hill, Department of Public Safety.