Beginning on Saturday, the Town of Chapel Hill will host a series of listening sessions for members of the community to share ideas on how to make the area a safer and more inclusive space.

The town government says information shared during these sessions — which are available via Zoom — will inform the town’s future budget and community investment decisions.

Discussions will be centered on the mission of the Reimagining Community Safety Task Force, which was established by the town council last fall. This means identifying concrete, actionable recommendations that will achieve the following: increase public safety, eliminate structural inequities in public safety systems and enable all in the community to thrive.

One step in this process came in September, as the Chapel Hill Police Department updated its policy on the use of choke holds following a request from the town council. This was a response to the police department’s failure to fully ban choke holds following a town resolution in the aftermath of the George Floyd killing in Minnesota.

Through this upcoming series of listening sessions, members of the community will have the opportunity to provide input on similar measures that could end up being put into practice.

This Saturday will mark the first session and will run from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Other listening sessions will be held on Saturday, March 20 and Tuesday, March 23 — with a Spanish language session also set for Tuesday, March 16.

For those interested in participating, click here.

 

Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

 

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill Town Council Weighs Bond Referendum in 2024 or 2025
At its Monday work session, the Chapel Hill Town Council initially came away split on whether to have a bond referendum this fall or in 2025.
Chapel Hill: Assistant Police Chief Celisa Lehew
Chapel Hill Police Department's Assistant Chief Celisa Lehew speaks with 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Thursday, June 30. She discusses the recent conversations between emergency responders, downtown business owners and the unsheltered community after a few unsettling incidents. Lehew also details various resources available for community members when they feel public safety is at risk. Plus: the assistant chief shares what to expect on the Fourth of July!
Chapel Hill Public Safety Task Force Shares Update on Policing Alternatives and Reforms
In June 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, the Chapel Hill Town Council passed a resolution on Developing New Community Approaches to Improve Racial Equity and Public Safety. This resolution helped to form the Reimagining Community Safety Task Force, which presented an update at last week’s Chapel Hill Town Council meeting.
Chapel Hill Police Ban Chokeholds After 'Falling Short' on Implementing Town Resolutions
The Chapel Hill Police Department has updated its policy regarding chokeholds following a request from the town council. The town issued a statement Wednesday to address the police department’s failure to fully ban the use of chokeholds by its officers following a town resolution passed in June. The statement said while town officers have never been […]
Chapel Hill: Wes McMahon on His First Six Months on Town Council, Anniversary of Chantal Flooding, and July 4th
Chapel Hill Town Council Member Wes McMahon speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Thursday, July 2 as he substitutes for Mayor Jess Anderson.
Celebration of Independence Day to Alter Local Government Services in Orange County
The celebration of Independence Day on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 will affect several local government services in and around Orange County. Here’s a look at what typical services will and won’t be happening during the weekend: Town of Chapel Hill All Chapel Hill administrative offices will be closed Friday, July 3, as […]
Our Town: The Story of Transit in Chapel Hill
This month, Keica Hargraves and Emily Powell from Chapel Hill Transit tell the story of Transit in Chapel Hill. 
Juneteenth Holiday to Affect Local Government Services Around Orange County
Across the country on Friday, Black Americans and communities will celebrate Juneteenth — the national recognition of when the final slaves were freed in the 19th century and of African-American culture. As a holiday, government services around the Orange County community will be affected on June 19 and the surrounding days. Here’s what residents can […]
Here Are the Orange County Local Governments’ Approved Budgets, Tax Rates for 2026-27
The final totals and changes for Orange County governments' budgets are being finalized. Here are the details of each approved so far.
Chapel Hill Approves FY27 Budget with No Tax Increases; Will Revisit Library Funding, Greenways in Fall
The unanimous vote approved the Town of Chapel Hill to operate on a $170 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a slight increase.
›