Downtown Raleigh sees increase in reported crimes, but police say it's because of increased enforcement
Downtown Raleigh and Glenwood South saw an increase in reported crime in 2023, but Raleigh police say that’s because there are more officers and more enforcement than in the past.
City documentation shows Raleigh police seized 61 illegal guns from October 2023 – December 2023 along Glenwood Avenue from West Peace Street to Hillsborough Street. The area includes as far west as St. Mary’s Street and as far east as North Harrington Street.
During the same time span in 2022, Raleigh police seized 22 illegal guns in the Glenwood South area.
“We have made significant strides to address crime and disorder,” Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson told city council members on Tuesday.
From October to December 2023, Raleigh police seized 10 illegal guns in an area bounded by West Morgan Street to the north, South Salisbury Street to the west, along West Lenoir Street and East Cabarrus Street in the south and South Person Street to the west.
In that same area, police had found no illegal guns in 2022.
In September 2023, the police department added officers in the business and nightlife districts to combat a rise in crime.
“Because of all the efforts we’ve put in downtown and the Glenwood South area, we’re hoping people see and hear it - that they know you cannot come to our core business area and create problems,” Patterson said.
Patterson says police have seen a decrease in people loitering and groups of teens hanging out around the transit center downtown and the bars in Glenwood South.
Business owners brought those up as problems in the summer.
The Downtown Raleigh Alliance now has private security guards patrolling the blocks between Fayetteville Street and Moore Square.
Also, the city hired armed security to cover in and around the transit center at 214 South Blount St.
“It has been extraordinary,” said city of Raleigh Transportation Manager David Walker. “The change at our GoRaleigh station has been an overwhelming improvement.”
Now, the police department is working to form a full-time bicycle squad to patrol downtown on two wheels. Police are also rolling out new technology that allows businesses to share access to their security cameras to help police catch crime in real-time.
“There’s a lot more we’re going to have to do to be able to sustain what we’re doing,” Patterson said. “We’re prepared to do that and we will continue to do that.”
The city installed more cameras in Glenwood South and downtown. It's also upgrading dozens of streetlights with brighter LEDs.
At the transit center, the city plans to install 20 pedestrian-level lights over the next few months. They will be close to the ground to better light the sidewalks.
Here’s a look at other crimes in Glenwood South:
Calls for service
- Fourth quarter 2022: 1,021
- Fourth quarter 2023: 1,173
Reported incidents
- Fourth quarter 2022: 209
- Fourth quarter 2023: 309
Homicides
- Fourth quarter 2022: 0
- Fourth quarter 2023: 0
Aggravated assault
- Fourth quarter 2022: 9
- Fourth quarter 2023: 5
Aggravated assault with a firearm
- Fourth quarter 2022: 1
- Fourth quarter 2023: 0
Disorderly conduct
- Fourth quarter 2022: 7
- Fourth quarter 2023: 13
Sex offense
- Fourth quarter 2022: 1
- Fourth quarter 2023: 3
Carry concealed weapon
- Fourth quarter 2022: 12
- Fourth quarter 2023: 39
Drug violation (felony)
- Fourth quarter 2022: 6
- Fourth quarter 2023: 19
Drug violation (misdemeanor)
- Fourth quarter 2022: 9
- Fourth quarter 2023: 49
Driving while impaired
- Fourth quarter 2022: 4
- Fourth quarter 2023: 5
Here’s a look at other crimes in the downtown/Moore Square area:
Calls for service
- Fourth quarter 2022: 2,550
- Fourth quarter 2023: 2,859
Reported incidents
- Fourth quarter 2022: 274
- Fourth quarter 2023: 445
Homicides
- Fourth quarter 2022: 0
- Fourth quarter 2023: 1
Aggravated assault
- Fourth quarter 2022: 7
- Fourth quarter 2023: 8
Aggravated assault with a firearm
- Fourth quarter 2022: 1
- Fourth quarter 2023: 1
Disorderly conduct
- Fourth quarter 2022: 5
- Fourth quarter 2023: 19
Sex offense
- Fourth quarter 2022: 2
- Fourth quarter 2023: 3
Carry concealed weapon
- Fourth quarter 2022: 7
- Fourth quarter 2023: 15
Drug violation (felony)
- Fourth quarter 2022: 9
- Fourth quarter 2023: 29
Drug violation (misdemeanor)
- Fourth quarter 2022: 27
- Fourth quarter 2023: 38
Driving while impaired
- Fourth quarter 2022: 0
- Fourth quarter 2023: 1
Downtown Safety Initiative: Sept. 11 – Dec. 1, 2023
- Felony charges: 127
- Misdemeanor charges: 523
- Physical arrests: 302
- Warrants served: 120
- Juvenile petitions: 22
- Traffic charges: 83
