Alive Nightclub surrenders alcohol permits as visitors express confidence in downtown safety
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Security in downtown Raleigh remains a topic of discussion following recent violent incidents, including a shooting that injured four people at a nightclub last weekend.
Wake County ABC law enforcement told ABC11 on Friday that Alive Nightclub has surrendered its alcohol permits. The development comes after two separate incidents at the nightclub in August that injured six people.
According to police, two people were injured in a stabbing outside the club on Aug. 9 after an altercation began inside the venue. Last Sunday, a shooting left four people injured.
Despite those incidents, people attending an outdoor market on Fayetteville Street on Saturday said they still feel safe downtown and do not want isolated incidents to discourage support for local businesses.
"Downtown is fun for us. We enjoy it. We eat out a lot," said Alonzo Hedgspeth of Raleigh.
Saturday's event brought vendors and visitors to downtown Raleigh for the Bizarre Bazaar.
"Bizarre Bazaar is a local market, a vintage market with art vendors that are local to the area. We have a motorcycle part to it," organizer Erin Wheeler said.
While marketgoers filled Fayetteville Street, the scene was quieter near Alive Nightclub, where the lights were off and gates were closed.
Downtown safety has received increased attention in recent weeks. The city has moved to close the tunnel connecting Wilmington Street to the GoRaleigh bus station, and fencing now blocks access to the area around the tunnel.
Hedgspeth said he views the recent violence as isolated events.
"I think a lot of those incidents are few and far between. I think they are isolated incidents at certain places. And I feel just as safe as I did before coming downtown," he said.
Wheeler said concerns about safety have not affected her comfort level downtown.
"We feel comfortable downtown. We're here all the time. And yes, things happen. But I think every major city has things that happen," she said.
She also encouraged residents to continue supporting local businesses and community events downtown.
"If you believe in Raleigh and you believe in a downtown and a proper city, then you have to support it and you should show up for events like this and be here if you can," Wheeler said.
Raleigh police told ABC11 on Saturday that the investigation into last week's shooting is still underway and that the search for the shooter continues.
