UNC's Park and Rip off zone

By Richard Silc
Posted Thursday, June 26, 2008

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Chapel Hill, NC - Does CAP really stand for Carolina Auto Parts?

I live in Chatham County and use the UNC Commuter Alternative Program (CAP). Earlier this spring a bunch of cars had their catalytic converters stolen at the Chatham Park & Ride lot. My truck's catalytic converter was almost completely cut off when someone apparently interrupted the thief and he fled.

At that time I wrote the UNC Police Chief expressing my concern that some commuter could interrupt a thief during some odd time and then be assaulted or killed. A large number of ladies, who work at UNC Hospitals, expressed concern for their personal security to me as we discussed the crime wave while riding to work.

Yesterday again several cars were hit, including mine. The first time in May it cost me $200 to repair. This time it will be over $2000 with the other damages. My deductible doesn't cover much of this. Will UNC? Why weren't UNC Departmental Parking Coordinators notified of this increased crime threat and ordered to inform the UNC staff? How many more criminal acts occur on these lots without a warning to the public of the risk? When does UNC become liable due to negligence?

I was a strong believer in the CAP. It is, in theory, a great service and a win/win for UNC and the employee. However, I cannot afford to continue to use it. Does someone have to be injured or killed in a parking lot before UNC secures the area? We can do Nobel Prize winning research at UNC, but cannot come up with a plan and implement that plan to secure a parking lot?

Here are some ideas:

1. Fence and gate the area.
2. Put up a camera that records license plates of vehicles entering and exiting.
3. Increase the patrols.
4. Hire an attendant and charge a couple of dollars a day for parking.

Why is this so difficult? Does someone have to die before action is taken?