Fewer police on Franklin tonight

There will be fewer police patrolling Franklin Street tonight than last year.

Police had hoped for more officers to manage the added responsibilities associated with the town's request to downsize the festivities.

There were 396 officers on duty last year said Officer Phil Smith" Halloween coordinator for the Chapel Hill Police Department. He wanted between 425 to 450 officers to enforce this year's changes.

But Smith said there will be only 353 officers tonight.

 ""I'm working with the fewest officers I've ever had this year" Smith said. With 80000 people you can always use more officers" but that's as many I can get.""

Public safety fears prompted the town to implement several changes to promote a ""homegrown"" Halloween — a local party for students and residents.

Cover charges at most bars" limited parking and shuttle services and reopening the streets at midnight all are aimed at reducing the number of partygoers.

Chapel Hill police will account for 88 of the officers responsible for enforcing these changes.

The town relies on other police departments across the state to provide extra manpower" and Smith said the town couldn't bring in as many officers as usual.

""My understanding is other departments are having events in their own hometowns"" former Chapel Hill Police Chief Gregg Jarvies said.

And a reduction in the number of officers Carrboro will send to Chapel Hill is contributing to the lack of manpower.

In the past, Carrboro sent 12 to 14 officer for crowd control, Carrboro Police Captain Joel Booker said.

But new policies in response to Chapel Hill's changes mean Carrboro officers have to stay close to home.

It diverts traffic away from their carnival and to us"" Booker said. Many more people are planning to go into our jurisdiction.""

In Chapel Hill" the impact of fewer officers likely will be seen in the number assigned to traffic control" Jarvies said.

""You get smart about where you assign officers" Jarvies said. He speculated that the town might use more barricades and private contractors to control traffic flow.

The town's plan to clear Franklin Street at midnight won't change because of the shortage of officers.

On average it takes at least 100 officers to clear the street obviously lower than the 350 Jarvies said. He said officers assigned to outlying areas could be moved to Franklin at midnight.

The decision not to run park and ride shuttles also means officers normally assigned to shuttle stops will be free to work elsewhere.

Jarvies said he felt confident Chapel Hill would make it work.

You always have contingencies so you don't get surprised" he said. You play all of this by ear.""



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