Downtown Raleigh business owners concerned about safety take matters into their own hands

Businesses in the City Market area of downtown Raleigh Thursday are concerned about safety, especially after hearing about the increasing crime in the social district.

Some owners say they have taken matters into their own hands to protect their employees and customers.

In the past few weeks, surveillance video at Woody's restaurant has captured people urinating and defecating on the floor.

Employees have also been harassed.

"I've just gotten used to it. But it's to a point now where it's [about] safety," Woody's manager said.

Woody's manager told WRAL News the restaurant recently hired their own armed security who works seven days a week.

"[We're] trying to do the best we can to bring business back in, and now we're spending money out of owner's pocket to pay security," Woody's manager said.

Restaurants and coffee shops, including Sir Walter, all along this stretch of downtown Raleigh have taken similar steps.

"Our security guard has been here for a few weeks and it puts a lot of stress on me," a Sir Walter employee said.

This month, Raleigh announced increasing police patrols in certain areas in some areas downtown, including Moore Square.

Woody's management wants increased patrols to also come to City Market.

"I feel like City Market is forgotten about. It's put to the side often," Woody's manager said.

Not everyone believes more police is the answer. WRAL News spoke to a former downtown barista over the phone.

"It's going to make things worse and it's going to bring more tension," the barista said.

Business owners want to see more resources for people who are out on the street potentially having a mental health crisis.

"It's not the security guards fault, it's not the houseless folks fault, it's the fault of the community for not taking care of them," the barista said.

The Downtown Raleigh Alliance also has an ambassadors program.

They're not police but help escort people to their cars and diffuse situations that may not require law enforcement's help.