I extend my heartfelt condolences for the loss of David Millette. He died on September 1st after a week in critical condition following an assault on the 500 block of Glenwood Avenue. Millette was a general manager for Midwood Smokehouse downtown. With the assistance of the Fuquay-Varina Police Department, Raleigh police have arrested and charged the suspect in connection with this case.
I get a lot of questions about Glenwood South and downtown Raleigh. Is it safe? What are y’all doing to make it so? I want you to know that I take this issue seriously. It is a top priority.
Downtown Raleigh is one of my favorite places to go on the weekend, and where I work during the week. I love eating lunch at A Place at the Table, exploring First Friday Art Walk, and walking the streets during a festival. It matters to me that it is safe for those who live, work, and visit.
Violent crime has no place here. Public safety is a number one priority and it pains me to know that someone in our community was robbed of their future in one senseless act.
The City of Raleigh works in cooperation with residents and business owners to prevent crime and improve and maintain our quality of life. I’m grateful to our Raleigh police officers who have stepped up recent patrols of downtown and in particular, Glenwood South.
Over the last few weekends, Raleigh police blocked off streets to better control movement and crowds. Raleigh police have stepped up their efforts to confiscate guns and stop dangerous activities.
Since joining Council, I’ve been a consistent advocate for increasing safety and well-being in downtown Raleigh. I meet monthly with neighbors in multiple forums to identify opportunities to be proactive and find solutions together. I’ve asked RPD to provide a monthly report on crime statistics for downtown so that we can track metrics and evaluate interventions. I also requested a meeting of the Safe, Vibrant, and Healthy Community committee to review recent data and assess what’s working and what other tools we can employ.
I toured Glenwood South with RPD over the summer to see firsthand the vibrancy, as well as the challenges. People were decked out to go dancing with their friends – awesome! I also witnessed public urination and a fight over a hot dog. Luckily that was a relatively smooth evening. What if things don’t go smoothly?
9-1-1 is the first number to call if a situation appears to be dangerous. You can also reach a Downtown Raleigh Alliance safety ambassador at 919-368-7962. Ambassadors will walk with you, provide directions and help out with a jump for your car. They provide extra eyes and ears. https://downtownraleigh.org/about/downtown-ambassadors
ACORNS is another great resource. I love their motto: “Care and safety first, enforcement last.” Their police teams include social workers that can assist individuals dealing with homelessness, mental health issues and substance use disorders. https://raleighnc.gov/safety/acorns
I also support the establishment of a HEARTS-like program, similar to Durham. They help folks experiencing non-violent mental health crises and quality of life issues with the right care by sending responses that match residents’ needs. https://www.durhamnc.gov/4576/Community-Safety
Our Council has increased parking fines in residential neighborhoods near downtown to deter visitors from parking there. We are also doing listening sessions to explore the benefits of a new noise ordinance. Litter cleanup now occurs 7 days a week, twice per day. https://raleighnc.gov/engage-city/services/amplified-entertainment/proposed-revisions-noise-and-amplified-entertainment
Numerous improvements have been made for pedestrian safety with new crosswalks, stop signs and signals, increased street light wattage, changes to speed limits, and dedicated scooter parking. You will see new sidewalk art soon. I’ve also requested a study to assess long term improvements to the Glenwood South streetscape, for example wider sidewalks.
I also want to reflect on Raleigh’s experiences in light of national trends. Violent crimes remain elevated nationally compared to 2019, the year prior to the COVID pandemic, which precipitated social unrest and destabilizing economic conditions. There were 24% more homicides during the first half of 2023 than during the first half of 2019 in 30 study cities followed by the Council on Criminal Justice.
Some good news: In the first six months of 2023 compared with the same period in 2022, levels of violent offenses in the U.S. are significantly lower. The number of homicides in the 30 study cities providing homicide data was 9.4% lower—202 fewer homicides—during the first half of 2023 than in the first half of 2022. And for Raleigh? We had 58.8% fewer homicides in the same period.
I share these national data so that we can be grounded in facts and consider root causes of crime. I appreciate your thoughts on public safety and what we can do to take care of one another. The City is doing a lot but we will continue to do more.
janeforraleigh.com 