On July 2, 2004 the UNCW Task Force on Campus Violence Prevention was implemented. This task force consists of persons outside of the university as well as UNCW students, faculty and staff. The 17 members of the task force include the Chief of the University Police, the UNCW Dean of Students and the UNCW Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The chair of the task force is the honorable Rebecca Blackmore, the fifth District Judge of North Carolina.

The goal of the task force is to evaluate issues that threaten the safety of members of the UNCW community, particularly the student body. Such issues would include domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault.

“I am asking this task force to conduct a thorough review of the processes and procedures we currently have in place for safety and security and make specific recommendations to me on ways that we can improve,” said UNCW Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo, according to a press release.

The task force will compose a report on improvements that need to be made in the education and training of students, faculty and staff on matters of campus violence prevention. This report will be presented by early November.

The murder of two students raised concerns among students and members of the community about the safety of the UNCW campus. UNCW sophomore Cara Overbey feels that students should practice discretion.

“You still have to be cautious. Know who you’re hanging out with,” Overbey said.