“Lock, Take, Hide” or “Fear Down Town”

Downtown Raleigh has a lot to be proud of, especially given how far it has come over the past few years. Raleigh and its citizens can be proud of the renovated buildings, new restaurants and bars, the re-opening of Fayetteville Street, the new Convention Center, the parties, the people, and more.

Lock, Take, Hide But there are still a few things,as there are in any city, we could do better. One big thing Raleigh still needs to work on is creating a sense of culture. The demolishing of Kings Barcade almost to a year ago, to make way for another parking deck, left a huge void in the downtown music scene - in providing a venue for local musicians and in attracting national acts.

One other thing that Raleigh could do better is very simple: Remove the “lock, take, hide” signs that currently litter downtown.

If you are somehow unfamiliar with these signs all you need to do is walk downtown. They seem to line every street and mark every parking facility. They were placed throughout downtown over a year ago as a public education tool informing visitors that they should lock their cars, take their keys, and hide their belongings.

Many locals though have a different interpretation of them, saying rather that these signs scream: “Fear Down Town.” Residents and regulars of downtown Raleigh find these signs offensive, silly, and pointless. And, yet worse, these signs are counterproductive to all the great work our city (especially the Mayor and the Downtown Raleigh Alliance) has been doing to bring people back to downtown. These signs instill fear and the sense that downtown is a scary place; And, for the love of god, do not leave your car unattended here for long.

One would imagine that people have the common sense to not leave their purse on the passenger seat with the keys in the ignition and windows rolled down while they run out to a long dinner at one of our new restaurants. (Although, I actually think you could do this if it was a long lunch…). But, if you didn’t have this common sense, then far be it from me to say that you probably will only learn this lesson the hard way.

I did speak to the Mayor about these signs a year ago and he directed me to the Downtown Raleigh Alliance. I then followed up with the good folks at the Downtown Raleigh Alliance and they informed me that it was a Raleigh Police Department project (although the Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s website notes that it’s a joint project between them and the RPD). Checking in with the RPD, they did claim the signs and reaffirmed that it was part of a public safety project.

My question is this: Why would the Mayor allow such a project, which ultimately works against everything I believe he wants for this city, to be implemented and ultimately exist for over a year now in our proud downtown?

You tell me: Is it “Lock, Take, Hide” or “Fear Down Town”?

15002/27 04:31 PM

I hear what you are saying. These signs don’t bother me nearly as much as the common “no concealed weapons” signs (with a picture of a gun) located at places like the bus station, Moore Square, and Nash Square.

Jim02/27 04:49 PM

The sign design is terrible-it’s quite the fear mongerer. I got a good chuckle out of the photoshop job that ribs it (especially the HOMELESS PEOPLE KILL! part). I’d like to think that people have enough common sense to lock their cars without needing a sign to remind them to do so. This post is spot on, all this does is perpetuate the myth that downtown is dangerous (and by the way, there’s NOWHERE to park).

Les02/27 05:19 PM

Word. Of course the fuzz is going to tout self constructed stats that say similar projects have worked in other cities, but at what cost? There are lots of things we can do to make downtown even more safe than it is without relying on fear mongering!

Just because it’s an easy and cheap method doesn’t mean it’s the right tactic.

lane02/27 05:35 PM

if there was an efficient/effective public transportation system in place to get to downtown raleigh there would be no need to remind people to “lock, take, hide”...

john02/27 05:45 PM

the signs arent for the readers of New Raleigh who live work and/or “play” in downtown, its for all the REST of raleigh who don’t live in downtown and aren’t used to locking their car doors all the time bc they don’t live in as dense a neighborhood. they don’t think about what items inside their car are visible to passersby.

just last year a woman was murdered in daylight in a parking deck downtown. that still rings in people’s minds when they come downtown.

i moved downtown 10 months ago. since then my house has been broken into twice and my car twice. its sucks to learn the hard way. especially when you make adjustments and it happens again. and again. and again. (it IS amusing to see the 4 different PO numbers from each incident all together on the fridge…)

the signs may be jarring and insulting and misleading to you but there are a lot more people who see them, take heed, and appreciate them.

JZ02/27 05:54 PM

Once I LOCK my car, other than TAKing my keys, what would I do with them? In “really safe towns” do people leave them in their car doors? And where do I HIDE my belongings once I’ve LOCKed my car? This is very confusing….

Be very, very scared….
...of bad graphic design.

15002/27 06:01 PM

Whoa, John, that’s too bad.

I’m curious…can you give a general idea of where you live downtown? I’ve lived downtown for almost 4 years and haven’t had any trouble.

john02/27 06:06 PM

mordecai area

JZ02/27 06:47 PM

I mean no disrespect to those who have lost property or lives due to Raleigh crime, but I believe our city is very safe compared regionally or nationally to cities of similar scale.

Does anyone have statistics that compare downtown crime compared to the city at-large? With only a “handful” of the population occupying what qualifies as the downtown core, my suspicion is that events are more distributed than we think. Right now, that’s founded only on my limited experience with myself and other residents/friends/acquaintances who live downtown.

This is a touchy issue because its basically the law-of-averages versus real life stories from residents or visitors. We of course want to do everything possible eliminate all possible threats, but its a delicate balance with signage such as this.

The ‘burbs aren’t as untouchable as one thinks. Where I’m originally from (about 45 minutes west of New York City), there were more car thefts per capita because the thieves were driving out into to those communities that thought the treat was low. Common sense behavior in this day and age applies to everyone, regardless of where one lives because, unfortunately, there is no place of innocence left.

Rafe02/27 07:09 PM

Seems like I remember seeing a story on the local news the other night about thieves stealing items from unlocked cars in a country club parking lot. Keeping your car doors locked and your valuables out of sight seems like common sense whether you’re parking on Wilmington St downtown, you’re at the mall, or you’re at the local grocery store. I don’t think those signs do any good and they do reinforce the idea that downtown is not safe.

Dana02/27 07:29 PM

Good post! These signs do nothing to encourage visits downtown. I wonder if Crabtree and Southpoint would thrill at putting these signs around their parking areas…probably not!

john02/27 07:36 PM

i think the point here is that downtown ISN’T safe. and it certainly isn’t viewed as safe by people from the outside. maybe the signs aren’t the best solution to this problem, but taking them away won’t change the fact that people’s cars are broken into and people are mugged regularly.

comparing raleigh’s downtown to other cities is irrelevant. the sorts of people raleigh’s downtown business need to attract (ie people who don’t live downtown) don’t think it is safe and i don’t blame them. what will ultimately provide more safety is more foot traffic in downtown areas. but this is a catch 22 when people don’t come downtown because they don’t see it as safe.

one small suggestion is having a real live security guard at all parking decks (even during night-time hours). sure the places like glenwood south feel safe, because people go there. but it’s the places where people don’t go that need to be improved.

Deb02/27 07:42 PM

I honestly don’t think these signs really discourage patronage downtown. I have seen similar notices in other cities’ downtowns, so it is not just some Raleigh thing.

It really is just a reminder to people, who still seem not to heed the advice. I live in the Glenwood South vicinity and often take walks and see all sorts of goodies people leave in their cars that are parked on the street no less. GPS’s, laptops, etc. Yes, some people actually do need to be told they have to close their garage doors so their precious weed wacker doesn’t get stolen, so it would be logical to translate this over to their vehicle as well.

If someone is discouraged from coming to downtown Raleigh by these signs then by all means, let them stay home and cower in their house. People need to be told that coffee is hot these days, so is anyone surprised by this? I actually think it’s a great way for the city to relieve itself of blame when things do get stolen out of cars, “Hey, we warned you!”

Leo02/27 07:49 PM

Deb, well said. I really think, in most cases, that the blame can be pointed to the car owners. You should not complain that DTR is unsafe if someone can get into your unlocked car and decides to take your ipod. Guess what, anyone can do that if your car is parked anywhere in the city.

john02/27 07:56 PM

sticking your head in the sand isn’t going to change anything.

15002/27 07:58 PM

Whoa, john, I don’t want to dismiss your personal experiences, but I have to disagree with you. First, I don’t think the point of the story is that downtown isn’t safe. Second, I don’t agree with the suggestion that it isn’t safe. I really think that Raleigh is quite safe.

Personally, I feel that downtown Raleigh is almost suburbian. The downtown core is only a few square blocks. Once you get a half mile out, you’re looking at parks, schools, and houses. Downtown doesn’t really have many places that are big enough to have that feeling of “uh-oh, I made a wrong turn, I’m in trouble”. This might be where a comparison with other cities does become relevant. For those who have experienced other metro areas that do have these places, Raleigh, in comparison, seems very tame.

That, for me, is what makes those signs such a shame. They’re pretty laughable to anyone who has been to a larger city, but they do appear to have an effect on people who might not have. Too bad.

Betsy02/27 08:06 PM

People in other parts of Raleigh don’t lock their car doors? What, like at the mall parking lot?? Give me a break!

Andrea02/27 08:08 PM

I don’t have a problem with these signs. Yes Raleigh is safe, and yes it is safer than most big cities. That said, we still need to use caution and sometimes common sense isn’t so common.

Betsy02/27 08:09 PM

For every crime committed in a downtown parking deck, there are probably 14 to 18 meth houses in rural Johnston County.

Betsy02/27 08:12 PM

PS I have lived and walked around downtown Raleigh for seven years (yes at night too) and any male who thinks it is unsafe is just a chickensh*t.

john02/27 08:13 PM

“First, I don’t think the point of the story is that downtown isn’t safe. “

that’s exactly what i’m taking issue with.

and your implication that i’m some yokel who’s never been to a large city is so petty (and typical of many arrogant and closed-minded comments on this site).

and your very selective view of what downtown is, is very cute too. the people who live near downtown (me included), don’t feel safe enough to walk a mile to a local shop, bar or restaruant if it’s past sundown because of the fact that if someone decides to mug them, likely no one will see it because no one is around.

many cities are less safe than raleigh. but as i’ve mentioned before, that is irrelevant. the idea is to make downtown MORE attractive than it currently is to people who aren’t coming here. it isn’t to preach to the choir.

we want people to feel like they can come downtown, park their car (or get off their public transport) and have an evening on the town, walking from one place to another without fear.

in summary: we don’t have to prove how much of a big city we are. everyone should want the same thing: a vibrant, safe and growing downtown.

Jedidiah02/27 08:20 PM

I have lived and worked in downtown for 3 years, walking or biking most places and have never had a problem except when I actually DROVE my car to a friend’s house in Oakwood,on Bloodworth, and my car window was smashed with a spark plug. Maybe cars as prized possessions are part the problem.

Then again, Funny you should mentioned robberies.

I think Fear is definitely key in Nicole’s commentary.

JZ02/27 08:27 PM

I think the harsh reality is that there are always going to be bad eggs….

and bad eggs are always going to give purpose to those who would prefer using their personal experience to determine policy versus statistical evidence….

if we’re really only talking about signage, then i’d rather say keep ‘em up if it means we stop bickering….

but it seems the issue is moving in a different direction….if that’s the case, my two cents is that reality sucks, dude….and there is always going to some reason to increase the quantity signage, the wattage on the streetlamps and the number of squad cars on the street, BECAUSE THERE’S ALWAYS GOING TO BE BAD EGGS….

the question is when is enough enough…and when do actions that are in the spirit of making a place better actually counteractive….

15002/27 08:28 PM

John, I guess I didn’t express myself correctly. I wasn’t implying you were a yokel. I’m not sure why my comments were taken as petty, arrogant, or close-minded. I even said I wasn’t dismissing your opinion.

That doesn’t change the fact that my experience is much different from yours, however. I don’t see why my view is “cute” or “selective”. As I’ve said, I live downtown. I walk downtown. Alone. At night. Never had a problem.

I do want a vibrant, safe, and growing downtown. I think we have all three, to be honest. Also, a comparison to larger cities is not necessarily about proving how big of a city Raliegh is. It’s not about that, as you said.

Mindy02/27 08:34 PM

I think both sides have valid points, but for me, the bottom line is that ensuring safety is extremely important, but I’m not sure that these signs are going to make Raleigh more safe. I do think that these signs instill fear. Maybe the idea behind them was to just give folks a heads up, but the way they are written is little “doom-sayer-esque,” don’t you think?

I’ve worked and gone out in downtown for 8 years now…and I haven’t had any major problems. I think the key here is common sense (although of course bad things do happen occasionally no matter what). I find it really hard to believe that people need to be told to not leave their laptops in the front seat, exposed to everyone, although I guess it’s true. I always lock my door, hide my things, etc. Why? Because some people aren’t honest, or are desperate, wherever you may be. And yes, of course downtown areas are usually more targeted for crime because of socio-economic issues tied into urban areas, as well as the high density of the population in downtown (as opposed to in the suburbs), but instilling fear in people is not a productive way to have them truly experience downtown, and learn to appreciate the wonderful things about it. If people are scared or intimidated to visit, how do we expect it to change at all?

I like the idea of having more security guards around at night (although you will see lots of public safety folks on bikes patrolling downtown all day and in the evenings). Better lighting in some dark areas might help. But what’s really going to help is getting folks out and enjoying downtown, so it’s not so desolate (particularly on Monday and Tuesday nights).

john02/27 08:34 PM

like the statistical evidence already presented here? or the police officers and other residents i have personally spoken to who have noted an increase in break-ins over the past couple years? i really don’t understand the argument here? no one has presented anything except “no, we are safe! it’s all fear!” well if that’s the case, then what should be done to assuage those fears?

resorting to dismissing crime in our city as “some bad eggs” is just ignoring a problem. when robberies have increased by the cited 50% in one year, it should be addressed.

john02/27 08:38 PM

my last comment was direct at JZ’s post, by the way

JZ02/27 08:47 PM

i don’t disagree, john…

its a slippery slope argument for me, however, and i feel strongly that there will be a tipping point (to be slightly tardy with my hip lingo) in which we can actually make our lives more miserable than better….that’s all…..

For what its worth, in my personal experience: I’ve lived in downtown Raleigh for 10+ years. I lived on East Jones Street right up from the old “hood” that has now been pleasantly gentrified. I watched many suspicious character walk up and down my block. I locked my car and house. But I also spent much time out on my porch at night and occasionally shared a smoke or two with some of these “suspicious” characters. I now live in Capitol Heights and walk to/from work in daylight and under the cover of darkness. I’ve walked home from the Borough, all the way across town at 2am (feeling a bit more like Bukowski than Bryson)

I have yet to have my body or property feel threatened…..

If I was ever to have an unfortunate event such as a mugging or break in, it would not change my opinion about the GENERAL safety of our city. Sorry, that’s just me….

15002/27 08:52 PM

That WRAL article mentioned 172 robberies in Raleigh since Jan 01. That’s Raleigh, not Downtown Raleigh, however. They specifically mention Brier Creek, for example. 172 robberies for 374,000 people isn’t a lot, at all. A 50% increase of a small number is still a small number.

Anyway, back on topic, I think JZ is right. If the signs discourage enough people from visiting Downtown to the point where they do more harm then good, then that’s a shame.

Ashton02/27 09:18 PM

I know that this article is dated 2006, but it is still worth a read.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/wake/raleigh/story/464757.html

salley02/27 09:23 PM

if you’d like to look at the data, use the imaps crime mapper tool. from what i can tell, most of the crimes downtown are larcenies from cars, and there seem to quite a few but i’m not sure if its much compared to other downtowns and it looks like there are a good number in the strip centers on capitol blvd too. fwiw, i’m ok with living in a downtown whose primary crime is car break ins rather than assult, rape or murder. i’m not saying car break ins are a good thing, just that it confirms my feeling of being safe downtown. more eyes on the street would help though!

http://imaps.co.wake.nc.us/imaps/main.htm?mservice=ralcrime&msize=425

JZ02/27 09:26 PM

751 robberies!?!

and the N&O;article previously linked to said it was on the RISE from 117 to 172….

either the facts are not apples to apples, they’re incorrect, or we’ve made some tremendous strides in only 2 years….

thanks for the link…

HelenTart02/28 01:01 AM

There was a story in January on WRAL about Brier Creek folks being outraged that things were getting stolen from their unlocked cars and garages:

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/2382128/

Obviously they need these signs worse there than in Downtown. (They may have them by now. I don’t get to Brief Creek very often.)

A word of advice from a resident in a neighborhood that has had a lot of car break-ins: he’s quit locking his car doors because the thieves just break his windows to see if anything worth taking in it. He just makes sure that he doses leave valuables in there.

What’s odd is that I live closer to Downtown and have never had my car broken into.

Tom02/28 01:27 PM

What a rediculous idea. If I am a local or out-of-towner, I am giving it a second thought about going downtown (negative image). What a stupid idea! The downtown marketing group/city council/DRA/RPD should be fired!

Deb02/28 03:03 PM

Wow, who knew these little signs would stir the pot so much?

I still maintain that if someone is scared by these signs they are - how to put it delicately - quite the wuss. These signs are not what are giving people impressions that downtown isn’t safe - it’s that most of the country’s downtown areas HAVE been unsafe for many years. It is only recently that they have begun gentrifying (call it ‘revitalization’ if you want, but we all know the truth). The bad elements have not been completely pushed out yet, so some of the crime remains, although it is much improved than say 15 years ago.

That said, there will always be an element of crime downtown, since no downtown will ever be Mayberry. That is what makes downtown exciting, the fact that it has a little grit to it, it’s not vanilla, not the norm. It’s not just high density burbs. You’ve got a little bit of everything (or at least that is what I like about downtowns). That will inevitably include at least some crime. And since there is more density downtown, it makes sense that it will have a slightly higher crime rate, only because the opportunities and victims are more abundant in a smaller area.

Whine about these signs all you want. The signs are not the problem. People have deeply ingrained perceptions of downtowns and it will take a while for them to turn around. Some of them will never come around, because many don’t even care. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard an suburbanite say they have no reason whatsoever to come downtown, not even for the culture and museums. They are content with Bed Bath & Beyond and Costco serving as their main forms of entertainment. There’s nothing you can do to change that.

The only way I can see these signs being a big deal is if they were airing them on tv commercials and tying them directly to downtown. They don’t even mention downtown specifically on the sign! It’s just a reminder for the people who need it. If you don’t need it, ignore it. But those who need it need the bright colors and big letters to get their attention, you can’t just whisper it to them - they obviously have trouble grasping common sense…

JZ02/28 03:13 PM

I think the point of the ensuing discussion was to illuminate the fact that the ‘burbs are equally, if not more, unsafe than downtown.

The lack of awareness of that reveals something somewhat disturbing about the distracted, numbed, blissed-out suburban culture that has been massaged into existence with the emergence of cheap oil and mobility.

I agree that this problem is deeper than the street signs….it’s a problem that began 30 years before the exodus in the 1970s…..and it will take another 20 or 30 to change the perception again…..it’s about cultural programming and how much we are aware and willing to critically think for ourselves….

kara02/28 08:06 PM

The popular social theory known as ‘Broken Windows’ suggests that deviance will perpetuate at the sign of initial lawbreaking. By the power of suggestion, this sign may work to set a certain tone and invoke ideas of theft and TAKING. It may actually inspire one with its angry type and colors to, in fact, take (and then, maybe, hide.)

If nothing else, these signs are ugly. The police could have taken more of the we-are-watching-and-keeping-peace approach and maybe used a lawful blue color.

The point is Raleigh is at an ever-so crucial stage. This town is blossoming out of a small agricultural hub and into a vibrant city (almost.) This is what characterizes Raleigh right now and is also why this website exists and thus, why we all are interacting. Every decision at this point is important- you are creating the costume that this city will wear; you are writing the book of the sort of place Raleigh will be in the future. Plus, the institutions should be ready to take on the type of activity and attention that a bustling city will bring and not simply invoke fearful notions.

Even little signs like this should be an effort in taking on the challenge of creating a quality product and carefully preparing this ol’ place as it undergoes a metamorphosis.

Rusty02/29 01:18 AM

Let’s face it, it’s a genius plan.

Once the RPD and Downtown Raleigh Alliance successfully scare away ALL the visitors from coming downtown…

There won’t be anything left to steal.

AHands03/03 03:30 AM

is THAT what those signs say? i never read the fine print. i thought it was instructions for hooligans:

(pop the)
LOCK

TAKE
(the loot)

HIDE
(yourself!)

dbearhug03/05 02:06 PM

I guess I haven’t really been put off by the signs. It’s somewhat reminiscent of a television ad I saw in a hotel room in New Orleans which cautioned all visitors to do the same things for self-protection in NOLA as well as home. At Christmas time, the news cautions us to be mindful of keeping our purchases outside of plain view while shopping in the mall. Simply put, crime happens everywhere.

To say that DT Raleigh is playing scare tactics is one thing. To whitewash it by getting rid of the signs is another. We go downtown all the time, but like any city we’ve travelled in the US and Europe, we’re mindful of our surroundings and take appropriate precautions. It’s just the world we live in.

RaleighRob03/06 07:50 PM

I don’t have a real problem with the signs per se…IF they were being put everywhere else in the city. Otherwise, it’s like their targeting downtown which seems ridiculous to me…a car can be broken into wherever it is located. (At least downtown is well-lit at night…more than you can say for most of the ‘burbs.)

If they put them up in other major parts of the city I’d be ok with it. Let’s see them up in North Hills, Crabtree, Cameron Village, Wakefield, Brier Creek, Triangle Town Centre, Five Points, Hillsborough Street, SE Raleigh, Bedford, Stonehenge and so on.

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Nicole Wednesday, February 27, 2008