In the week following the tragic murder of UNC professor Feng Liu, Chapel Hill citizens have voiced their concerns about their safety within the community.

Chapel Hill Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt spoke with WCHL’s Aaron Keck about this past week, and how it has affected the Chapel Hill area.

“It’s been a very difficult, challenging week to be able to balance the needs of our community following the violent crimes that occurred, but also learning how to and remembering to celebrate great events with a community that has been fighting so hard for them,” said Mayor Kleinschmidt.

He says that the people of Chapel Hill want to be reminded that this is a safe community and that need that guidance when things seem so uncertain when it comes to their well-being. He says he spoke with the UNC chancellor and affirmed their goal for public safety. He assured that he and the police departments have heard the concerns from citizens and have been surveying neighborhoods that were affected by the attack and working to provide a feeling of security.

“People need to know that we understood that, and our police department did and were there immediately,” says Mayor Kleinschmidt. “The response to this crime actually happened very, very quickly. Now we’re working with our police department and our crisis units, which we have one of the best in the country as part of our police department as well as getting expertise from our local school system to talk to families about how to deal with violent crime that occurs like this in their neighborhood.”

Mayor Kleinschmidt says he has also heard from people outside the neighborhoods asking what plans to be done. He says that now is the time that the police needs to process the information and figure out what to do next.

“I think we need to step back and give them the time to do the processing,” suggested Mayor Kleinschmidt. “We are there helping them process, and so I think many others in the community really need to take a deep breath and let them handle what happened in their neighborhood.”

He also encourages that everyone participates in the national Neighborhood Night Out on August 5 from 6 to 8 pm, in which residents in neighborhoods throughout Chapel Hill as well as across the country are encouraged to lock their doors, turn on outside lights, and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police.

For more information on Neighborhood Night Out, click here.

Related Stories
‹
In H'boro, "National Night Out" Promotes Small-Town Vibe
Night Out" is this Tuesday from 6-8 pm.
On the Porch: Deana Joy - Child Abuse in NC
This Week: Deana Joy has spent her career working in the nonprofit sector with victims of crime. She began by working with victims of sexual violence then, in 2006, she was promoted to Executive Director of a local Children’s Advocacy and Sexual Assault Center. In 2014, Deana began working as the CEO of Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Carolina, the state chapter for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs). In 2017, Deana became a national accreditation site reviewer for National Children’s Alliance, the accrediting body of Children’s Advocacy Centers. Deana currently serves as the Chair of the Children’s Justice Act for the Governor's Crime Commission and is on the NC Human Trafficking Commission, the NCDHHS Safety Design Team, the central region Citizen Review Panel, and the statewide Mass Violence Committee.
'Keeping People Safe': North Carolina's Office of Violence Prevention Reaches 3-Year Anniversary
North Carolina's Office of Violence Prevention recently surpassed its three-year anniversary, continuing to use public health approaches to address the issue of gun violence.
2026 Candidate Introductions: Democratic Primary for Orange County Sheriff
After running unopposed in 2022, Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood faces competition in the Democratic primary from the Durham County Sheriff's Office's Director of Planning and Development David LaBarre.
Issiah Ross Argues Self-Defense In Double Murder Trial; Prosecution Wraps Testimony
Issiah Ross took the stand Wednesday to share his own testimony and defense in the trial over the 2022 deaths of two teens in Orange County.
On the Porch: Sheriff Mike Roberson - Community Policing
This Week: Sheriff Mike Roberson has been Chatham County Sheriff for 10 years and recently announced his bid for election as a County Commissioner in 2026. A dedicated law enforcement officer who promoted integrity, teamwork, and community involvement by supporting local businesses, churches, and community events, Roberson has training and experience in public safety, crisis response (including group crisis intervention), terrorism response, protecting and serving children, leadership and supervision, communication, diversity (including organizing against racism) and responding to medical emergencies. As a lifelong resident of Chatham County he is passionate about serving his community and is married to his high school sweetheart.
At UNC, Studying 'Crime And Punishment Across America'
A new UNC study called "Crime and Punishment Across America" is expanding our understanding of which criminal laws get passed by states.
Democrats Fret About National Fallout After Mamdani Stuns in New York City
The stunning success of Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old self-described democratic socialist, in the race for New York City mayor has exposed anew the fiery divisions plaguing the Democratic Party.
Orange County Sheriff Blackwood Appointed to Chair of North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission
After serving on the North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission for nearly eight years, Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood will now have the chance to lead the group.
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.
›