Teen takeover: Police make arrest; Raleigh drafting teen curfew ordinance
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Raleigh city staffers and attorneys were meeting behind closed doors on Wednesday, drafting legislation for a teen curfew following the chaos that erupted this past weekend on Glenwood South and Brier Creek.
The draft will be presented to the Raleigh City Council on Aug. 18.
A spokesperson told ABC11 that if police get intel that there might be another large teen gathering, Mayor Janet Cowell can enact a temporary, emergency curfew.
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Glenwood South small business owner Steve Olson had his staff lock the doors at midnight and power down all the arcade equipment at his store, Super Rad, but says rowdy crowds were still trying to break inside.
Olson said of a possible teen curfew, "I think they (teens) proved it's necessary, but I also don't know what it will solve ... I don't know if it'll solve the problem, but I think any attempted solution is a good idea."
Several arrests were made in the wake of the teen takeover.
On Wednesday, a 16-year-old was charged with felony riot, possession of a firearm by a minor, and discharging a firearm within city limits in connection with the shooting at 14 Glenwood Ave.
The teen was taken into custody and is being held at a juvenile detention facility.
The Downtown Raleigh Alliance is considering increasing ambassador staffing to help law enforcement patrol.
"We can adjust the team," said DRA President Bill King. "The reality is there's a lot of personnel already there. RPD is a huge presence on weekends."
Olson said what happened is unfortunate, especially for all the local businesses trying to offer the public something to do.
He opened his store nine months ago as a passion project. Olson personally refurbished each one of these arcades and gaming systems.
"I think Glenwood is a really unique spot," he said. "There's a lot of hours that you can come out to this place and enjoy the, the businesses and activity that's out here without having to be part of the mess that can happen."
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