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'I don't really go out after dark': Raleigh resident expresses concern over recent New Bern Avenue crime

The Raleigh Police Department provided WRAL News with data that shows there were 1,236 emergency calls in the month of April 2022 in the stretch New Bern Avenue from downtown Raleigh to the eastern city limit.

Posted Updated

By
Amanda Lamb
, WRAL reporter

The intersection of New Bern Avenue and Raleigh Boulevard has had more than 70 calls for emergency service in the month of April alone.

There have been two murders in less than a month near the intersection: April 21 near Zack’s Gas 76 at 1617 New Bern Ave. and May 10 near the Shell gas station at 1830 New Bern Ave.
Four miles to the east, a man got shot in the head on May 5 at the Quality Inn at 4716 New Ave. It’s unknown whether the man will survive.

The Raleigh Police Department provided WRAL News with data that shows there were 1,236 emergency calls in the month of April 2022 in the stretch New Bern Avenue from downtown Raleigh to the eastern city limit:

  • 1000 block of New Bern Avenue (New Bern Avenue and North State Street): 208 emergency calls
  • 2000 block of New Bern Avenue (New Bern Avenue and King Charles Road): 73 emergency calls
  • 3000 block of New Bern Avenue (New Bern Avenue and West Campus Drive): 558 emergency calls
  • 4000 block of New Bern Avenue (New Bern Avenue at North Rogers Lane): 397 emergency calls

The call types ranged from disturbances, drug crimes, larceny, parking, security check, shoplifting, shots fired, traffic stops, warrants issued and welfare checks among others.

People in the community said they are afraid crime is only going to get worse. Resident Tracey Mckiver goes to the Shell gas station at 1830 New Bern Ave., but only in the daylight hours.

“It’s scary. Most of the time, I stay in,” resident Tracey Mckiver said. “If I’m not at work, I’m home. I don’t really go out after dark.”

Mckiver said she’d like to see the Raleigh Police Department have a presence and “make the streets safe again.”

Raleigh District C Councilmember Corey Branch said a city can't "police its way out" of a crime epidemic, but that having police visible is a good start.

“Those that are living there, I want them to remain there,” Branch said. “I want them to feel safe and be safe.”

Branch said the city is working to address the recent issues and challenges on the corridor. The key is finding a balance between having a presence and not being “overbearing,” according to Branch.

Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said the city is looking at how to address the gun violence. She said the police department is due to receive $2 million in funding as part of the upcoming budget. In part, the money is earmarked to help get guns off the streets, Baldwin said.

“Basically, that means our police department will be looking at locations where this is more likely to occur, and then look at ways we can prevent that,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin said the city is also working on programs with the NAACP and Moms Demand Action aimed at preventing gun violence and other crimes. The New Bern Avenue corridor is one of the areas they are looking at closely.

“[There are] pockets all throughout the city, but that stretch, this is one of them,” Baldwin said of New Bern Avenue.

Mckiver is still wary.

“It’s going to get worse because inflation is up,” Mckiver said. “Everything is so expensive.”

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