UNC has a chance to win another men’s basketball national championship Monday night, and Chapel Hill Police are preparing for the potential revelry that would follow.

Approximately 12,000 people rushed Franklin Street following the Tar Heels victory over Oregon in the Final Four Saturday night. But it’s safe to say the crowd would be much larger if Carolina is able to win the national title Monday night.

“We’re extremely lucky that no one was injured from the few bonfires that were set Saturday night,” said Chapel Hill Police Chief and Executive Director for Community Safety Chris Blue. “We’d hate for a night of joy and celebration to be ruined because of injury. We are all pulling for a national title in Chapel Hill, and when that happens, we want everyone to be able to return home safely.”

Bonfires are prohibited on Franklin Street, but they are often still started during these celebrations. Potential inclement weather coming into Chapel Hill late Monday may help temper some of those flames.

Officials say there will be approximately 250 police officers working Monday night from agencies in the region, in addition to fire, EMS, transit and public works crews.

If Carolina is victorious, Franklin Street will be shut down to traffic to allow for the celebration before being cleaned up and reopened before Tuesday morning’s commute.

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