On June 11, students, survivors and activists fed up with fearing for their (and their families’) lives descended on Downtown Raleigh, DC and cities across the country to March for Our Lives in protest of the onslaught of national gun violence. 2022 has seen 250+ mass shootings already. In light of the impending election and the barrage of national school shootings and local lockdowns, planned attacks and scares, we asked our three current Wake County sheriff candidates what they plan to do to protect the 160,000 kids in Wake County’s school system.
Question: If elected, what are you planning to do to help protect the 160,000 kids in Wake County’s school system? What is your plan on keeping our students safe?
“Under my administration, we have enhanced our School Resource Officer Training. We currently have a School Resource Officer (SRO) in every middle school in Wake County. However, a majority of Wake County elementary schools are without an armed officer, and I believe it is time for there to be a SRO in every school in Wake County. I have said that for several years, and I will continue to work with the public school system, as well as local municipalities, toward achieving that goal. I will ensure this agency and its members are prepared to protect and serve the 160,000 children in Wake County.
As sheriff, I have implemented an operative Community Relations and Crime Prevention Division that is now active throughout the entire county with bold, new leadership aimed at deterring our young people away from lives of trouble and crime. These units offer and sponsor various programs that help foster these relationships that did not exist prior to 2018. I reestablished the D.A.R.E. program back to many elementary schools in Wake County. D.A.R.E envisions a world in which students everywhere are empowered to respect others and choose to lead lives free from violence, substance use and other dangerous behaviors.
Being more present in schools at different capacities while reaching these children at a young age, before they are at risk, is another way I will continue to keep children safe within Wake County.”
“The protection and safety of our children, especially while they are in school, should not involve a political stance, but is rather a very real concern and priority for me and every enforcement agency in Wake County. As the recent tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, demonstrated, preparation and coordination are vital, and the lack thereof can be catastrophic. If I am elected to serve as sheriff in November, I will work diligently with our Board of Education and County Commissioners to make sure the School Resource Officers (SROs) provided by the sheriff’s office are fully coordinated in safety procedures and protocols relating to school violence.
In addition, I will advocate for the best possible training available to assure our SROs are fully prepared to handle any type of emergency situation that may arise in our public schools. I will develop a comprehensive screening process to determine the very best candidates for the position of SRO. I will not just depend on internal training, but also explore the best SRO training nationwide.
I have long advocated for a special police department exclusively for the Wake County Public School system and will continue to do so. This would allow those officers to be totally engaged and specifically trained in public safety measures and protection for our schools. Many school systems all across our country—and some within our own state—have developed such departments, and they have proven to be successful.
All the schools in Wake County fall within 13 different police jurisdictions. As we saw in the heartbreaking Uvalde situation, when multiple agencies respond, there can be breakdowns in the chain of command resulting in tragic consequences. If a school police force was established, there would be no question as to who is in charge when other agencies respond to assist, not to mention the very specialized training such a police department would receive. I sincerely believe this idea is a good policy, and I will continue to advance it if I am elected sheriff.”
Willie Rowe (D) Retired Major from the Wake County Sheriff’s Office
“I have a passion for public safety because I believe people live life to the fullest when they feel safe. Reducing crime and enhancing public safety is a primary duty of the sheriff’s office. To address violent crimes, additional resources must be committed to prevent and deter crime through increased officers’ presence and community engagement. In addition to patrolling, officers will interact directly with the community as partners to educate, build positive relationships and create opportunities for successful outcomes.
To build safer communities, schools, businesses and workplaces, we must increase funding and staffing in order to physically position officers in place to maintain controlled access—patrolling parking lots and live monitoring security cameras to ensure any potential threat is readily identified, intercepted and eradicated before escalating to an act of violence.
Also: continuous and relevant ongoing training for officers and the general public; information sharing among public safety officials and all agencies regarding individuals who may pose a threat; and coordination with mental health providers for timely crisis intervention to ensure needed resources are available and deployed are paramount to prevention, de-escalation and containment to prevent further harm.
If elected sheriff, I am committed to partnering with all stakeholders to develop sound and innovative approaches to reduce crime; improve overall quality of life; and make Wake County the safest place to live, work, play and visit.”
Editor’s note: All sheriff responses are printed in their entirety. The runoff race is July 26, the winner of which will face Harrison in the general election Nov. 8.
“Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane, don’t know when I’ll be back again…” As travel is top of mind this summer—and beyond—Global Rescue surveyed the globe’s most-seasoned jet-setters for their top travel tracks so as to compile the quintessential playlist for trip-takers—“to inspire adventure, encourage exploration and connect us with loved ones,” says Global Rescue Communications Director Bill McIntyre. Not shockingly, topping the wanderlust hit list is Willie Nelson’s quintessential road-trip track “On the Road Again.” Here, a sneak of some of the Global Rescue’s remaining top 50, which you can (and should) stream on Spotify (“Global Rescue Top 50 Travel Songs”) for your next sweet escape.
“On the Road Again” Willie Nelson
“Leaving on a Jet Plane” John Denver
“Roam” The B-52s
“I’ve Been Everywhere” Johnny Cash
“Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” Jimmy Buffett
Small businesses are the fabric of our economic culture—here’s a look at what it takes to make it.
Surviving even one year in small business is, well, big business. A benchmark.
Pandemic notwithstanding, roughly 20% (read: 1 in 5) of small businesses will fail their first year, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration and data compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a number that drops drastically as firm size increases. From there, only half will make it to age 5, and a mere 30% to 10.
Not unlike our own tenuous toddler stage, the early years are volatile for small businesses—which include any independent business with fewer than 500 employees (and account for 99.9% of America’s firms). Per studies by the SBA’s Office of Advocacy, the No. 1 reason for failure is low cash flow and sales—spawned by such causes as: the market simply doesn’t need the product or service, capital shortage, competition, pricing and so on. That said, as one might expect, after those first few uncertain years, the survival rate flattens out.
In business, unlike in life, with age comes respect—real reverence. You’ve cornered the market—literally—a far cry from how we fetishize youth culture and attach shame to aging socially. In the market, the wrinkles of time and the amassing of birthday milestones are dignified—recognized for grit, prowess, stamina and perseverance (not to mention brand awareness, customer loyalty and so on).
In the world of business, birth is literally just the beginning—with no promises for making it. And each birthday is a marathon milestone of mettle and determination (especially in the past few years when survival of the fittest has been more applicable than ever).
To that end, throughout the issue, we fete the feats of local companies, entrepreneurs and trailblazers who overcame the odds to reach huge birthday benchmarks—those who have survived the test of time and are celebrating a benchmark birthday, from 5 to 165 (!).
50 Years EST. 1972 Ragsdale Liggett
One of the longest-lived multidisciplinary firms in the state, Ragsdale Liggett provides legal services across a range of practice areas—from business law to civil litigation to real estate law. Since its founding by George Ragsdale and Frank Liggett, the eponymous firm has seen successes from local state courts to the Supreme Court—garnering with them frequent top-tier peer ratings to boot. Now in its 50th year, the firm’s “milestone is a testament to its ability to thrive in a highly competitive market, adjust to the ever-changing business and legal landscape, and become one of the state’s most admired law firms,” says David Liggett, who attributes its legal prowess and longevity to the strong foundation laid by its namesakes. “We are proud of the way we practice law,” adds David, who is only the second managing partner in the firm’s history. “We have talented lawyers and paralegals who do sophisticated work in an environment that is unusual for a firm of our size.” rl-law.com
If you thought parking was a problem on Glenwood South before—wait for it. The city recently approved resident-only parking zones on several blocks both on and directly off of Glenwood Avenue. The 800 & 900 blocks of Glenwood (near Peace Street), and the 500 blocks of side streets Cleveland and Tilden are now Residential “H” Permit Zones (Devereux Street is already H Zone)—and residents will have to apply for permits. The move comes after many residents of the bustling district complained to the city about not being able to find parking near their own homes (not to mention disturbances like noise, trash, etc.). With the new rule, nonresidents will no longer be allowed to park in these zones from 11pm to 7am on any day. Given Glenwood South’s recent surge in popularity—arguably surpassing its prepandemic status—and its void of parking possibilities, the new zoning will either just push the problem down the street, or worse, detract would-be Glenwood South-goers and negatively impact businesses in the borough. And with the potential to make area parking even less plentiful, city leaders voted in March to eliminate parking minimums for new developments, regardless of size (as previously allotted). But, hey, there’s always still Uber…
If you’re on the prowl for some feel-good seasonal sips, the just-launched Prowling Vineyards Napa Valley is here for it with its premiere spring release. The official wine club of the Carolina Panthers (!), the membership-only Prowling Vineyards Napa Valley’s handcrafted varietals mirror the Panthers’ boldness and toast their hunger to win both on and off the field—at football and at life—with iconic flavors that honor the Carolinas and allow fans to play a part in supporting Panther charities. Nocturnal types looking for a grape time are gonna wanna sip on the Night Hunter. The flagship classic Napa Valley cab enthralls with notes of black cherry, blackberry and plum, complemented by toasted oak, dried currant and baking spice for a bright and polished mouthfeel and long finish. For a fruitier feel, sidle up to Panthera, a velvety, elegant Santa Barbara pinot noir that pleases the palate with bright strawberry flavors and a nose of blackberries, raspberries, cherries, brown sugar and baking spices. White wine fans will go wild for the alluring and complex elegant blend that is the Cat Tail. Perf for Caturday—or any day—the bright and zingy Napa Valley cuvée blanc’s citrusy floral nose pounces from the glass like a bouquet to the face before a lemon-forward burst on the tongue, finished with pineapple, tropical fruits and vanilla undertones for a subtle spice. Three and six bottle ops are now available for members to score twice a year—with bonus benefits to boot (think: Panthers fire-branded crate, entry to Panthers-only events, access to additional bottles of vino year-round and more). So, in essence, uncorking one more way to Keep Pounding. prowlingvineyards.com
Peep 5 wine picks under $25 by local wine aficionado here.
