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After July 4 weekend shootings, Raleigh chief urges curfew; council directs ordinance drafting
Summary
Following multiple shootings, juvenile arrests and recovered firearms during July 4 weekend events, Police Chief Rico Boyce urged a package of measures including a youth curfew; council asked the city attorney to draft a curfew ordinance for consideration in August.
Raleigh police described a string of violent incidents over the July 4 weekend and asked the city council July 7 to consider a limited youth curfew and related measures.
Police Chief Rico Boyce said law enforcement responded to four separate operational areas (Capitol grounds/parade, Dorothea Dix fireworks, Briar Creek fireworks and Glenwood South nightlife) and encountered a sequence of late‑night fights and multiple shooting scenes on Glenwood South and nearby streets. The chief reported 29 adult arrests, four juvenile petitions (one upgraded to secure custody), and recovery of 11 firearms during responses to crowds that included thousands of juveniles in some locations. He said officers detained juveniles in possession of firearms and recovered weapons at multiple scenes.
Chief Boyce described a mix of emergency enforcement and prevention recommendations: targeted weekend staffing, improved communications with businesses, expanded youth programming and “safe spaces,” and legal measures such as a curfew (benchmarked from other cities), possible backpack restrictions and strengthened outreach to parents. Parks and community engagement staff described ongoing teen programs and summer opportunities — including Teen Connect, summer youth employment and pilot youth center grant applications — and urged more community coordination.
Mayor and council discussed legal constraints, parental responsibility, and the need for a rapid but careful process. The council voted unanimously to ask the city attorney to draft a citywide curfew ordinance (applying to those 17 and younger) to return for consideration at the August 18 meeting and to authorize emergency measures in the interim if immediate intelligence justifies it.
What happens next: the city attorney will draft curfew language and the police will coordinate with the DA and stakeholders on enforceability, exemptions and time limits; council asked for a report back by the August meeting.
