Recent Mugging Shows Importance of Staying Alert
By Shelley Basinger

UNC-CH senior Emily Freeman walks down Church Street everyday, coming and going from her apartment. But a week and a half ago, she and a friend walked into a dangerous situation.

“There was a guy behind us, but we weren’t paying that much attention to him, and he passed us, and we still weren't paying attention,” Freeman said.

“[He] got about three feet in front of us then stopped and pulled a gun out."

The suspect pushed Freeman into nearby bushes, stole her and her friend’s purses, and fled the scene. Danny Lloyd, community protection officer with the Chapel Hill police, says students should limit walking at night and use campus and town transit if possible.

“I would say at night, if it were my daughter, I would want her to utilize any transportation that's available to cut down on the amount of time she's having to walk by herself,” Lloyd said.

On campus students can use the P2P express van to get to and from places that aren't on main bus routes. I gave them a call to see how the system worked. The bus arrived in 10 minutes and dropped me off right next to my car in a parking lot across campus. If you have no other option but to walk, Lloyd says your best defense is to pay attention and look confident.

"Whether it's going and coming from class or just out for a walk, just be aware of your surroundings," Lloyd said.

Freeman agrees that her feelings about walking alone at night, even when with a friend, have changed.

"It's totally changed my perception – like whenever I see a suspicious-looking figure that I wouldn't have paid a second glance to before, I'm sort of on my guard about it,” Freeman said.

“I'll change my path so I don't have to talk past them, which I guess is good because I'm more alert than I was before."