RALEIGH, N.C. — Raleigh city leaders sat down with teenagers Monday to hear how a possible youth curfew would affect them, as the city weighs its response to a summer of teen takeovers.
The listening session was held at the Five Points Center for Active Adults, at 2000 Noble Road. Students, principals, social workers, City Council members and Mayor Janet Cowell gathered at tables to talk through three questions: what is driving talk of a curfew, what would change for teens personally, and what the city should do instead of, or in addition to, a curfew.
The curfew debate grew out of the Fourth of July, when large crowds of young people filled the Brier Creek and Glenwood South areas and the night ended in shootings. The city has been considering a curfew similar to those in Charlotte and Fayetteville, with restrictions from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for anyone younger than 18.
Students who spoke mostly pushed back on a curfew and asked for more programs and safe places for teens to gather. In September, some council members said they were no longer pursuing a curfew, but the city has said the council still plans to vote on it at some point after the forum.
Cowell said she is undecided. She said notes from each table discussion will be provided to the City Council before any decisions are made, and new recommendations could be added to the proposed ordinance.
The issue lands just ahead of the city election. There are 15 candidates for City Council and the mayor in the Nov. 3 election, and in-person early voting runs from Oct. 15-31.
