Last call coming early on Halloween
Published: Wed, Oct. 15, 2008 12:39PM
Modified Wed, Oct. 15, 2008 03:41PM
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closeCHAPEL HILL -- Downtown bar owners have agreed to close their doors an hour earlier Halloween night and will charge a minimum cover charge of $5 that evening for events open to the public, town officials announced today.
The plan was announced as part of Chapel Hill's attempt to to curb the wild partying that has marked Halloween on Franklin Street in recent years, drawing 80,000 people last year.
Chapel Hill's bars will close at 1 a.m. Nov. 1, instead of 2 a.m.
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Citing concerns about gang-related violence, alcohol poisoning, property crime and crowd panic, the town announced recently announced measures to discourage out-of-towners from coming to Chapel Hill to celebrate Halloween.
The town will no longer offer shuttle buses from park and ride lots. With little parking available near downtown, the shuttle buses had made it easier for visitors to reach Franklin Street. Several of the regular downtown bus routes will also cease operation around 9 p.m.
"It's just getting too crazy out there right now, Chapel Hill Police Chief Brian Curran said last month.
Last Halloween, 13 people were arrested and eight people were taken to UNC Hospitals, according to police. In 2006, police arrested 27 people, and a man was shot during a robbery. Another 18 people that year were taken to the hospital, most for intoxication.
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