Raleigh Police May Move To Neighborhoods To Crack Down On Crime

A lot has changed over the past 50 years in the Caraleigh neighborhood in south Raleigh. Longtime residents like Doris Raybon worry about crime and safety.

"Drug addicts are coming into the neighborhood. There's just so much violence just up and down the street," Raybon says.

The City Council is considering a plan to encourage police officers to patrol and live in so-called "at-risk" neighborhoods like Caraleigh.

The program would provide police with a 30-year second mortgage loan of up to $30,000 at three percent interest. The monthly payment could be covered if the officer works ten hours with the neighborhood group.

Caraleigh residents sound skeptical, but they say they welcome anything that may make their homes safer.

"If I was a police officer, I would kindly hesitate," says property owner Bobby Brown. "But if you know a policeman lives on the block with you, I think people will be more careful."

The Raleigh City Council referred the police mortgage measure back to the city manager Tuesday for further clarification. Councilmembers want clear guidelines that define which neighborhoods would qualify.