Teen takeover NC | Teenagers query proposed Raleigh curfew after weekend chaos

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Joshua Holden went to Brier Creek on July 4 to look at fireworks with mates, anticipating an evening of celebration.

“I was just trying to have fun,” Holden stated.

The environment modified abruptly, he stated, when preventing and gunfire broke out.

“It just turned into chaos because of the fighting and the shooting that happened, and people just not getting along all together and all,” Holden stated.

The incident drew sharp criticism from Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce, who described what he witnessed as “unruly, undisciplined, and unsupervised juveniles.”

Holden stated he understands these considerations however believes not everybody current needs to be blamed for the actions of others.

“It’s upsetting. I’m not going to lie because it affected us as a whole. We are gaining consequences over something that we don’t we didn’t do,” Holden stated.

Holden, a current highschool graduate, spoke alongside his mentor, Scottie Barnes, founding father of the youth mentoring group Katch the Kite.

The dialog comes as metropolis leaders think about a citywide teen curfew. City leaders have stated a majority of the teenagers concerned within the takeover had been in Raleigh from different cities.

Holden questioned whether or not a broad curfew is the proper resolution.

“I think it should just affect the specific people that got into the incident,” he stated.

Coreion Levy, an upcoming highschool senior who’s working two jobs this summer time, additionally opposed the proposal.

“We shouldn’t have a curfew because there’s like a bandage on the cut. What is it really doing?” Levy stated.

Levy stated teenagers want extra leisure alternatives.

“We don’t really have many things out there for us. They don’t want to do nothing for us, and we want to go have fun just like everybody else. Like maybe go on the big air. A teen night for free,” he stated.

Both teenagers pointed to mentorship packages, employment alternatives, and stronger communication as methods to handle issues involving younger individuals.

“We just need somebody to talk to. We need somebody to uplift us,” Holden stated.

Their message, they stated, is a name for help and options earlier than related incidents result in one thing worse.

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