Raleigh's new police chief talks improving safety in downtown, praises decrease in crime

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The City of Raleigh's newest police chief, Rico Boyce, met before the City Council Tuesday afternoon to address the department's efforts at reducing crime and improving safety. According to Boyce, violent crime is down three percent and property crime is down 29 percent.

"I want to say the momentum inside Raleigh Police Department is very high," Boyce said after just three weeks in his new role. "The officers are very engaged."

Boyce's comments came during a scheduled update on downtown Raleigh presented with a member of the city manager's office.

According to Boyce, RPD has two officers on foot patrol whose visibility has helped deter crime and arrest people wanted for their connection to serious offenses. Boyce said those officers have issued more than 100 warrants within the past 56 days.

Additionally, Boyce said bike patrols have been especially helpful in reducing crime and he would like to ramp up patrol staffing as the summer months and outdoor events quickly approach. As part of Connect.

Raleigh, there are 256 integrated cameras with the police department -- a number Boyce admitted he would like to see increase.

"I'm going to take ownership and say it's probably us as a police department not getting the information," Boyce said. "We can probably do a better job of sharing what Connect Raleigh truly is. And I think once business owners hear the benefits of Connect Raleigh, that number will increase."

Downtown Raleigh Alliance is seeing a benefit to the new security cameras. The group recently added five more ambassadors, bringing the team to 20, patrolling both the streets and parking decks.

"We work closely with the police on getting more of our properties into the Connect Raleigh camera system," Bill King, the president of Downtown Raleigh Alliance, said. "We're continuing to advocate for more cameras in the downtown area, particularly the parking decks to get into that network."

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Meanwhile, Clyde Cooper's BBQ on Wilmington Street said it will relocate soon to move away from the crime in downtown Raleigh.

"We are moving from this block just because we do see a lot of influx of crime with the bus station so close," said co-owner Ashley Jessup. ""I particularly think where we are is more forgotten. You don't see as much of a security or police presence."

Jessup declined to give more information surrounding the relocation.

"Just look out for your small businesses," Jessup said of her encouragement to Chief Boyce. "Because if people don't feel safe to come down here or when they do come down, if they have a bad experience, it reflects the small businesses. Small businesses aren't going to make it."

The city also contracts with Capital Special Police to increase the law enforcement visibility downtown. Boyce told council he will take a "closer look" at the contract as more investments are being made into improving downtown Raleigh security.