Raleigh experienced an unprecedented level of mayhem on the 4th of July with what has become known as teen takeovers. Thousands of young people met up in Brier Creek and Glenwood South after the fireworks – I assume many were there simply to socialize – but the crowds turned chaotic and various fights broke out over the night with guns fired and people injured. Fortunately there were no life-threatening incidents.
Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce provided City Council with a summary of the events at our July meeting and made a request for a teen curfew. This would be an extra tool for RPD if chaotic crowds return. I want RPD to be able to break up crowds before they become unruly. A teen curfew would only be enforced in situations where imminent violence is of concern. Teens going to the movies or out to a restaurant for example would not be a target.
I trust Chief Boyce and his team to get the curfew right and be judicious with enforcement. But I recognize that not everyone knows Chief Boyce like I do. After 2020, Raleigh had a reckoning when it comes to public safety and I’m grateful that RPD has such thoughtful leadership.
If you’re curious, I ask that you get to know RPD. Sign up for Raleigh’s community police academy. Visit with RPD for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4th in neighborhoods across the City. Hoop nights are happening throughout the summer. Apply to be on our police advisory board to review and provide policy recommendations. And please – if you have a gun – get a gun lock. You can pick them up for free any weekday at RPDs district offices. We don’t need more guns on the street.
The City’s Community Engagement Office and Parks Dept are also working together to identify more positive activities for teens in the City. They will provide an update at our August City Council meeting about existing opportunities and new initiatives.
I’ll be doing a ride along with RPD next weekend to see how things are late night. I’ve been out before in this capacity. It’s important that elected officials see how things are on the ground first hand. I hope it will be a quiet night but want to see the scene for myself. I’ll let you know how it goes.