TO THE EDITOR:
Campus lighting initiatives, new security-related innovations including smartphone application-based technology and the use of body-worn cameras, as well as improvements to the Alert Carolina system, are just a few of the ventures being implemented or put under review at UNC.
UNC’s Nighttime Travel Safety Working Group, the UNC-Chapel Hill Town and Gown Task Force and other interested parties participated in the Fall Lighting Tour the evening of Nov. 18, 2015, reflecting a heightened emphasis on collaboration and inclusion. The tour was unique in that the focus was on areas of the Town of Chapel Hill frequented or populated by students, including Cameron Avenue and Rosemary Street. Normally, the lighting tour occurs in a designated on-campus area.
UNC was represented by the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Transportation and Parking, Energy Services, the Buldings and Grounds Committee, student government, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and other interested stakeholders. The town of Chapel Hill’s team was led by Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue and representatives from Chapel Hill Public Works. As is the case with on-campus lighting, areas of improvement were identified and noted. Discussion regarding joint resolution is actively in progress.
I would like to thank The Daily Tar Heel for bringing public attention to lighting and other safety concerns. Where you observe issues negatively impacting personal safety, please bring them either to my or Chief of University police Jeff McCracken’s attention. Thank you.
Derek Kemp
Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Safety & Risk Management
