Raleigh police ramping up Glenwood South security and promoting safety to youth

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Security efforts on Glenwood South are ramping up after a violent 4th of July weekend.

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“I mean it’s not fun, it’s not fun,” NC Hemp Shoppe Manager Ryan Davenport, said.

Davenport is still processing what happened right outside the NC Hemp Shoppe he works at on Glenwood South.

Security footage shows people scattering at a moment’s notice after shots were fired.

“Honestly, just sprint for safety; some of them were able to get inside; some of them just scattered off in different directions. You can still kind of see a gate over here that was ripped off from being connected to the fence here, and our gate in the back was just straight ran through,” Davenport said.

Raleigh Police are calling the scene on July 4th a “Teen Takeover”, that’s when nearly 8,000 teens gathered in the area of Brier Creek and Glenwood South, breaking into several fights that escalated into at least six separate shootings.

“I think that’s interesting, especially where we are. There’s not a lot of places where a teenager can get into,” Davenport said.

Two 16-year-olds are facing charges.

Including 16-year-old Justin Brown, who is facing various charges, including assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and firing a gun into an occupied car, police said.

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“We are going to make sure no matter how old you are, you’re going to be held accountable,” Raleigh Police Department Police Chief Rico Boyce said.

Boyce is also finding ways to prevent this from happening again.

The department is posting educational videos regarding what a teen takeover is on social media Friday.

Also, meeting up with the youth ages 13 to 18 on the court to promote a bond between law enforcement and teenagers in RPD’s weekly Hoop night event.

“Safety is a shared responsibility; that’s what I have been preaching here lately — and this is one way for parents to get their kids out of the house, get them nice and tired so when they’re finished, they go home and go to bed, and they’re safe,” Boyce said.

The City of Raleigh and the Wake County District Attorney are drafting a citywide curfew for juveniles aged 17 and younger that could be implemented as early as August.

However, Mayor Janet Cowell said she will implement an emergency curfew if there’s a credible threat of a teen takeover.

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