CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- For the first time since the Silent Sam statue was toppled back in August, Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue spoke to the community about the delicate and volatile situation.

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He wanted to stress that violence on UNC’s campus is something he's feared since the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

He said he’s anxiously awaiting the UNC Board of Trustees' decision on where to go from here.

In August police arrested more than a dozen people over the course of several weeks after violent protests took place near the Silent Sam monument.

The chief says he has some fears about putting the monument back in place, but that decision is ultimately not up to him.

"I think the statue, it makes us less safe in our community. I said that a year ago. My opinion on that has not changed. I do not envy the folks that are having to make a decision on what to do with the statue,” said Chief Blue.

The UNC Board of Trustees has until next month to come up with a way to not only preserve the statue and its history on campus, but also keep the students and staff safe.