DRA Safety Team Press Release
Media contact:
Tracey Lovejoy, Downtown Raleigh Alliance
(919) 832-1231
traceylovejoy@downtownraleigh.org
Mayor Meeker and the Downtown Raleigh Alliance
Launch New Downtown Safety Team
Highly Trained Team to Help Address Public Safety in Downtown
RALEIGH – On Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at 11:00 am in front of City Hall, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) will launch its new Downtown Safety Team program to enhance public safety needs in downtown and in the City parking decks and lots. DRA Vice-Chair Hilda Pinnix-Ragland and the new 13-member Downtown Safety Team will be joined by Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker and Police Chief Jane Perlov in the announcement.
The new Safety Team services, to provide security in the City parking areas, are sponsored by the City of Raleigh. Additionally extra Safety Team hours patrolling the City streets have been funded by private contributions from Progress Energy, RBC Centura, BB&T and Wachovia. Working hand-in-hand with the Raleigh Police Downtown District, using two-way radios and patrolling on foot and bicycles, team members act as an extra set of "eyes and ears" for law enforcement and property owners, and can respond to service calls in a matter of minutes. All of the Team members are registered as unarmed guards with the state and will not take any enforcement action.
Members of the Safety Team have attended a DRA one-week training session and have taken part in workshops with the Raleigh Police Department, Healing Place, the City’s Crisis Intervention Team, Gang Unit and Crime Analysis Division. Safety Team members have been on the streets of downtown since December 16. They patrol the downtown area at least 18 hours a day and the City parking decks eight hours a day, six days a week.
“The Downtown Safety Team adds an extra dimension to keeping Downtown Raleigh safe,” said Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker. “This effort, combined with the Raleigh Police Department’s initiatives, demonstrates our commitment to the public-private partnership we have to provide community-wide safety.”
After spending six months researching and developing a program to address the needs and change the perception of safety in downtown Raleigh, the DRA with the support of the Raleigh Police Department proposed the creation of the Downtown Safety Team. “The Downtown Raleigh Alliance is
proud to contribute to enhancing service in the city’s core through the Downtown Safety Team,” said John Boylan, chairman of the DRA. “We know this new initiative will have a lasting impact on combating the negative perception some employees, visitors and residents have about downtown Raleigh.”
The team members will answer questions and provide assistance and information about events and destinations of interest in downtown. They will also work in partnership with law enforcement, downtown businesses, and social service agencies.
The specific primary duties of the Downtown Safety Team include:
• Monitoring and patrolling the City parking decks, parking lots and public streets in downtown.
• Providing an extra set of “eyes and ears” for law enforcement agencies.
• Maintaining an authoritative presence to deter crime and establish a positive perception of safety.
• Communicating with law enforcement agencies to address the public safety needs of downtown.
• Providing workers, residents, and visitors directions and information.
• Providing support during special events.
• Assisting in emergency situations.
Downtown Raleigh is actually much safer than many people think. Statistically downtown Raleigh has a relatively small amount of the city’s overall crime. Since that is the case, the Downtown Safety Team will focus not just on crime prevention, but also on making sure the public has an accurate perception of downtown safety.
The very successful Clean Ambassador program, which focuses on the cleanliness needs in downtown Raleigh, will continue to be a positive presence in downtown. The existing Safety Ambassadors will become part of the new Downtown Safety Team. They will continue the hospitality effort, but will place an increased emphasis on perceived safety concerns. These two efforts will continue to be funded by the downtown Business Improvement District (BID).
About the Downtown Raleigh Alliance:
The Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) is a business improvement district created to offer enhanced maintenance, safety and communications/events in downtown Raleigh. DRA is a private not for profit corporation governed by twenty-six directors representing the City of Raleigh and property owners in the 110-block district. In June 2003, the Raleigh City Council approved a five-year renewal of the district, following overwhelming endorsement by stakeholders. The district’s annual assessment is approximately $540,000. For additional information about DRA, please visit http://www.GoDowntownRaleigh.com.
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