Q&A on Public Safety

Q: We’ve seen a reduction in crime in downtown Raleigh. How did that happen?

Jane Harrison: When I joined Council, there were serious safety concerns downtown, with nuisance behavior like loud noise, car racing, drug dealing, and some incidents of violence. Without feeling safe, people weren’t comfortable walking in their neighborhoods or going out. I worked closely with impacted neighbors and the Raleigh Police Department (RPD) to identify opportunities for improvement. I did ride-alongs with RPD to see the situation firsthand. We focused police resources on hotspots like the transit center and Glenwood South. This increased police visibility contributed significantly to the 22% reduction in crime from June 2023 to June 2024.

Q: Besides increased police presence, what other strategies have been effective in reducing crime downtown?

Jane Harrison: We deployed new police vehicles including small, souped-up golf carts to navigate tighter spaces where illegal activities were taking place, such as parking garages. This initiative enabled RPD to confiscate a significant number of guns, reducing the risk of violence, especially when people are intoxicated. The police now have an active presence every Friday and Saturday night in Glenwood South and close off the street to vehicles after 10 pm. City Council also expanded the downtown municipal service district which allows safety ambassadors to patrol larger areas, and be additional eyes and ears on the ground.

Q: Can you talk about the alternative crisis response unit and its purpose?

Jane Harrison: People experiencing homelessness or acute mental health issues do not need a police officer but rather a social worker who can help them find stable housing or mental health support. We’re integrating social workers into several departments, including RPD via ACORNS and our 911 Center, where callers can speak directly with licensed clinical professionals. Social workers are also being added to the Housing and Neighborhoods Department to assist individuals experiencing homelessness. We are working to establish community response teams that can be deployed instead of police for non-violent, non-criminal emergencies.

We need Wake County to partner with us on the community response teams. County resources are vital to making this a reality. Durham already has such an effort. Because they are the only municipality in Durham County, they have more quickly leveraged city and county funds for this need.

Q: What are the barriers to fully implementing the community response teams, and how are you addressing them?

Jane Harrison: The biggest barrier is funding. Most of the money for human and social services comes from state and federal sources, and Wake County is the primary recipient. We need their support to deploy community response teams effectively, which includes providing vehicles and resources for immediate help. We’re currently working with Wake County staff to identify these resources. Another challenge is ensuring that when a community response team engages with someone, they have instant access to mental health and other follow-up care services, rather than being told to wait or come back at a later date or inconvenient time. Rapid response is crucial for addressing needs effectively.

Q: What steps are you taking to ensure the safety of residents in downtown Raleigh and your district?

Jane Harrison: Beyond increasing police presence in hotspots, downtown becomes safer as folks return post-Covid. Visibility deters crime. The City is adding prominent signage to our performing arts center to encourage folks to attend events. I partner with the Downtown Raleigh Alliance and encourage their promotion of new dining spots, shows to attend, and places to live. We’re adding bike lanes, art to sidewalk crossings, and scooter corrals to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety. I’ve led efforts to fund studies to mitigate train noise and improve downtown street layouts for walkability and safety. City Council also approved a new noise ordinance to ensure businesses and special events are being good neighbors to those who live and visit downtown.

Q: How do community partnerships play a role in improving safety in downtown and your district?

Jane Harrison: Community partnerships are crucial. Non-profits play a significant role in providing services to individuals experiencing homelessness, providing emergency shelter and social services. Organizations like Saint John’s Metropolitan Community Church and Healing Transitions offer shelter during extreme weather and services to help people get sober, respectively. We need more partnerships with Wake County to sustain and expand such services. Local government, non-profits, and community groups must pool resources and expertise to help folks in need.

Q: What lessons were learned from the Fayetteville Street closure, and how would you approach a pedestrian mall in the future?

Jane Harrison: Without sufficient foot traffic and residents living downtown, these spaces can feel dead and become magnets for undesirable activities. Closing off a road like Fayetteville Street requires activation with special events like festivals and concerts, similar to what we see in Moore Square.

Q: What are the main safety concerns in your district, and how do you plan to address them?

Jane Harrison: One concern is traffic safety. Speeding is a significant issue, posing dangers to both drivers and pedestrians. We’re implementing speed reduction measures like traffic circles and road diets – narrowing the road to slow folks down.

Another concern is providing adequate resources for individuals experiencing homelessness. We need more shelters and permanent housing solutions to help stabilize their lives. In my term, we approved rental vouchers that folks can use to get housed immediately.

Finally gun violence is an epidemic in our country and must be addressed. The City has gun buy-back programs and RPD provides free gun locks to anyone who wants them. Guns in homes need to be secured and unavailable to minors. I advocate for gun control legislation at the state and federal level to make Raleigh safer.

Q: What are your thoughts on the mini traffic circles in Raleigh, and how do they contribute to safety?

Jane Harrison: Mini traffic circles are crucial for slowing down traffic and improving road safety. However, there have been concerns about their visibility and aesthetics, particularly at night. Residents have suggested adding plantings and flowers to these circles to enhance their appearance, which could also become a community project with neighborhoods taking on maintenance. This would address both visibility and aesthetic concerns while maintaining their traffic-calming benefits.

Q: What future steps are you taking to continue improving public safety in Raleigh?

Jane Harrison: In my Council term, we increased salaries for public safety workers like firefighters, 9-1-1 operators and the police. I will continue to advocate for competitive wages and benefits to recruit, train, and retain the best personnel.