A quarterly report chronicling statistics of certain minor misdemeanors has been released by the Chapel Hill Police Department.

Statistics recorded in the report include use of force and gender, race and ethnicity of minor crimes such as misdemeanor marijuana charges, no operator license charges and traffic stop data.

Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue claimed that the police department is still learning how to best report information like this to the community.

“It is a report that I can imagine over time will change based on community interest, based on things that we think are worth a closer look, and where we here from our community more information is desired,” said Blue.

Blue believes that this information becoming public will help reveal any possible disparities in the way the police department deals with the public.

“Who are the people we’re charging and are there any disparities there, unintended or other wise as the result of our efforts? I think the best way to get at that is put those numbers out there and have a community conversation about it, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” said Blue.

The report in full, which is the second of its kind, is available on the Town of Chapel Hill’s website.

 

Related Stories
‹
Car Break-Ins Hit Southern Village, Meadowmont
A string of 26 car break-ins late last month taking place in Chapel Hill’s Southern Village and the parking lot of the Meadowmont swim club has the Chapel Hill Police Department urging citizens to take extra precaution while parking their cars. Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue stated that the majority of these break-ins happened […]
Chief: Immigration Status Not Important to Chapel Hill Police
North Carolina operates under a law that prohibits any county or municipality from restricting local law enforcement’s ability to cooperate with federal immigration officials. And while that technically prohibits sanctuary cities in the state, most law enforcements choose what to prioritize in their respective towns. Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue said immigration status hasn’t […]
After The Election - What Next?
What should we expect - and how should we take action - after the 2016 election? Local leaders weigh in.
Police: 12 Vehicles Broken Into at Chapel Hill Apartment Complex; Residents Asked to Stay Alert
The Chapel Hill Police Department is asking community members to exercise caution amid a string of vehicle break-ins around town. Officers say they found 12 vehicles broken into Wednesday at the Hartley apartment complex at 540 South Elliott Road, and estimate the break-ins happened around 2 a.m. The department says it has received 95 reports […]
UPDATE: Man Reported Missing to Chapel Hill Police Found After Short Search
UPDATE: An OC Alerts message shared at 8:51 p.m. said Amit Desai was safely located. The Chapel Hill Police Department is asking for the community’s assistance in locating a missing person. Police officers say 51-year-old Amit Desai was last seen around 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Circle K gas station at the intersection of East […]
Chapel Hill to Open Police Substation on West Franklin Street in Early March
The Town of Chapel Hill will be staging more police officers downtown starting next month. In a release shared Thursday afternoon on the town’s website, the local government said it plans to open a substation of the Chapel Hill Police Department in the former Launch Chapel Hill space at 306 West Franklin Street. The building […]
Chapel Hill Police: Runaway Teenager Safely Located Overnight
UPDATE: The Chapel Hill Police Department shared a message at 1:20 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24 saying Forbes was safely located.
'They Are Safe': How and Why Orange County Activates, Operates its Cold Weather Shelter
For the last four years, whenever winter temperatures drop to freezing, the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness and other local government staff team up to provide an overnight shelter option.
On Air Today: Chili Cook Off and Line Dance Benefiting Family Reading Partners
On Wednesday, December 10, you're invited to The Lincoln Center on Merritt Mill Road as The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro’s Leadership Class of 2025 hosts the Chili Cook Off & “Boots on the Ground” Dance Party, a one-night-only fundraiser benefiting Family Reading Partners. Enjoy delicious chili from local contestants, kick up your boots on the dance floor, and help raise funds to support early literacy programs for families in our community.
UPDATE: Missing Chapel Hill Teen Safely Located
Chapel Hill Police announced Friday afternoon that Mikylah Barnes had been safely located. The Chapel Hill Police Department is asking for the community’s help in locating a missing local teen. Police say 16-year-old Mikylah Barnes was last seen in the area of Valentine Lane – just off North Carolina Highway 86 – around 10:30 […]
›