Raleigh Mayor Orders Youth Curfew After Violent Teen Takeovers

Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell has directed the city attorney to draft a citywide curfew for individuals aged 17 and under following a violent holiday weekend. The ordinance, expected by August 18, would restrict minors from being outdoors between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. and could take effect that same month. Cowell noted that while the city is pursuing the ordinance, she is open to emergency measures if similar events recur during the drafting period.

The move follows a series of "teen takeovers" over the July 4th weekend, where approximately 8,000 young people congregated in the Glenwood South and Brier Creek districts. These gatherings resulted in nine total shootings across Glenwood South, Brier Creek, and Capital Boulevard, as well as street fights that forced local businesses to close early. Raleigh Police reported 29 arrests and the recovery of 11 firearms.

Police Chief Rico Boyce described the level of firearms recovered as unprecedented in his 26-year tenure with the department. In addition to the curfew, Boyce proposed restricting backpacks for juveniles in specific areas and expanding youth programming. He emphasized that safety is a shared responsibility involving parents and community organizations.

If implemented, Raleigh would join other North Carolina cities such as Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, and Nashville in using youth protection ordinances to combat late-night juvenile crime.