The annual Halloween party on Franklin Street drew about 80,000 people last year -- more than the town's total 54,000 population -- town officials say. Concerned about crime, crowd panic and civil disorder, the town this year initiated a campaign to tone down the event.

"It began as a small local, spontaneous event, and it has grown into a huge party," Mayor Kevin Foy says on a video posted on You Tube. [youtube video] "It's just unsafe because it has gotten too large."

The enormous crowd, Foy says on the video, causes traffic problems, noise, litter and property damage "and really has become a threat to public safety."

Law enforcement officers will set up alcohol checkpoints on the outskirts of Chapel Hill. And police will begin to shut down the event at midnight.

There will be little to no parking available close to downtown and no place for charter buses to drop off or pick up passengers.

Downtown restaurants and bars will close at 1 a.m. to new patrons. They also will charge a minimum $5 cover charge to people not attending a private event. Downtown convenience stores that sell alcohol will either close or stop selling alcohol at 1 a.m.

Beginning about 8 p.m., major thoroughfares leading into the downtown area will have lane reductions.

Beginning about 9 p.m., some downtown streets will be closed to vehicular traffic, including:

*Franklin Street, from Raleigh Street to Roberson Street.

*Columbia Street, from Rosemary Street to Cameron Avenue.

*Raleigh Street, from East Franklin to Cameron Avenue.

*Henderson Street, from East Rosemary Street to East Franklin Street.

Vehicles parked on streets to be closed will be towed beginning at 6 p.m. Vehicles that are illegally parked will be ticketed and towed.

Items, even as part of a costume, that could be used as weapons or could reasonably be mistaken as weapons will be confiscated.

Town ordinances and state statutes prohibit the following items in the closed area: alcoholic beverages, weapons, glass bottles, paint, fireworks and explosives, flammable substances, animals and coolers.