Raleigh police chief addresses increase in crime, access to firearms

Speaking at the Raleigh Police Department Southwest District, Patterson said the number of teenager suspects involved in violent crimes is of particular concern. In the last three months, Patterson said about 30 aggravated assaults have been connected to juveniles who gained access to firearms.

Raleigh also saw a 50% increase in homicides in the final quarter of the year, compared to the final quarter of 2021.

In 2022, Raleigh’s 49 homicides marked the highest single-year tally since the FBI started keeping comprehensive records of violent crime statistics in 1995. Among those who died was a 16-year-old who was an innocent bystander shot in the head in April outside of a convenience store.

Homicides by year, according to the Raleigh Police Department (Year: Number of homicides):

Patterson expressed concerns about some categories of violent crime increasing significantly.

"I will continue to stress that we must continue to devote every and all resources to prevent youth violence," Patterson said. "I am asking community groups and nonprofits who may be listening to this crime briefing to consider partnering with RPD, if you are not already, to provide gun awareness and anger management training for our youth.

"We are seeing a greater need for this every day.”

Patterson said intervention programs might prove effective.

"When we see 14- and 15-year-olds committing crimes, we have to have groups of people who can really connect with them and be able to turn that around and prevent them from going to a life of crime," Patterson said.

For Diana Powell of Justice Served NC, a program in east Raleigh near the College Park neighborhood, the increase in crime is a sign of community that feels left behind.

"This community has lost a lot of hope. You look around, you see the gentrification," Powell said. "We have people who are suffering, we have mental issues, [and] we have people sleeping on the sidewalk."

Patterson also said the two Raleigh officers involved in the Hedingham shooting have returned to the police force. Patterson said the Hedingham investigation is still ongoing as of Wednesday afternoon.

WRAL News asked Patterson about how police are trying to decrease violence in the city.

“We are a growing city,” Patterson said. “Our population is growing. Many people are moving to this area."

Patterson explained how crime is impacted as the city grows.

“As I’ve stated in my briefing, I think it’s naive to think that you’re not going to have a criminal element that is a part of that growth,” Patterson said.

Raleigh homicides increased 49% in 2022 compared to year before, data shows

Patterson said the Raleigh Police Department has 115 vacancies, or 15% of the total police force, as of Wednesday.

“It’s a fluid number,” Patterson said. “It changes really, literally every day as we are hiring people or we have individuals retire or leaving the organization.”

Patterson said the police department is working to fill staffing shortages.

In 2022, 386 guns were stolen from cars, a 25% increase from the year before. For Powell, it's unsurprising.

"We know guns are easy to access. Very easy," Powell said. "I talk to some of the young people and they say it’s like going to the candy store to get a gun."

On Wednesday, Patterson also encouraged people not to leave unattended cars running.

As for Powell, she is working to keep children out of gangs, as well as working to help 160 families who are either unhoused or on the brink of homelessness with Justice Served NC.

"They see their mother struggling and what do they resort to?" Powell said. "[They think], ‘I am going to go out here in the streets. I am going to make it happen.’

“What is the result? Crime.”