Scottie Barnes, director of Katch the Kite, a mentorship program that offers weekly Teen Talk sessions, said the recent events were troubling. Barnes, who has a large family that includes teenagers, said mentorship programs can help young people navigate challenges.
"Teen Talk is a platform where any kid can come and get mentorship that they need and they learn firsthand experience from people that have been through that. They can learn the dos and don'ts, how to move out here and how to carry yourself," Barnes said.
Barnes said he has been trying to understand what led to what he described as "complete chaos" from Brier Creek to Glenwood South. Police have said teens were behind the incidents.
"It was very, very disturbing," Barnes said.
The incidents are part of what has been described as a growing trend of "teen takeovers" in cities across the country, including Tampa, Atlanta, Washington and Chicago, where gatherings are organized through social media and large groups of teens show up.
According to police, about 8,000 teens gathered in Raleigh during the weekend events.
"This is a different time we live in here right now and it don't take for somebody just to shoot a gun for an innocent bystander to get hit," Barnes said.
Police said an innocent bystander was struck by gunfire during the Brier Creek incident. Barnes said he believes there is a lack of parental accountability.
"I think that we gotten away from disciplining Our kids, you know, it's a way you do it. And I feel that a lot of parents of younger children are afraid to do that," he said.
The discussion comes as Raleigh leaders consider the possibility of a citywide curfew for teenagers. Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell said city leaders are exploring the idea following the teen takeover.
Community activist and Executive Director of Justice Served NC, Diana Powell said a curfew could be one step toward addressing the issue.
"I think a curfew is a start," Powell said.
Powell also said parents must play a larger role in addressing the problem.
"They don't want to be held accountable. They don't want the light shined on them. We know we got a problem, but how do we how do we solve that problem?" she said.
Both Powell and Barnes said increasing awareness of programs and safe spaces for teenagers could help address underlying issues.
"They need their space and in a need that social environment where they can socialize with their peers, but it needs to be in a safe place, and right now, they don't have it. They can't really go to the community centers," Powell said.
Barnes said community support for youth-focused organizations is essential.
"We need the community to engage in what the local nonprofits are doing because we are the ground. And I think a lot of parents don't know about it," Barnes said.
A similar teen takeover occurred in Charlotte last month. In that case, parents were charged with contributing to juvenile delinquency. Charlotte also has a teen curfew in place.
SEE ALSO | Glenwood South businesses frustrated over weekend chaos