GREENSBORO, N.C. — Many crime concerns surround the downtown areas of the Triad's two biggest cities.
In Winston-Salem, police arrested three people Thursday they said are connected to a shooting near a club.
In Greensboro, a deadly shooting happened outside a downtown club nearly two weeks ago.
Late-night violence in Winston-Salem and Greensboro has some nightlife employees who are concerned about safety in these downtown areas.
For instance, things are quiet at ALV nightclub Thursday night, but just a few weeks ago, two people were injured in a shooting outside of the business.
Some surrounding businesses feel the impact this violence has had on the city of Winston-Salem.
Jose Hernandez, a bartender at Single Brothers, said that he appreciates police patrolling on busy nights downtown but that crime seems to be unavoidable. Several of his friends have been victims.
“I like it whenever I see my you know, my local policemen doing foot patrol, you know, they walk into my bar sometimes like, 'Hey guys, we're making sure you're good. You guys good?' I've had plenty already who have gotten carjacked, their cars have gotten hacked, had their stuff stolen, like that stuff actually does happen,” Hernandez shared.
A Winston-Salem council member, Kevin Mundy, understands why business owners are concerned.
He said," The bar owners on Trade, Fourth and Burke Streets have really taken this leadership role working with law enforcement, and an incident like this can undo all the work they've put into these efforts.”
Over in Greensboro, India Banks, a bartender at The Bearded Goat, feels the opposite of Hernandez. She wishes there was more of a police presence downtown, saying it went away during the pandemic and never really came back in full force.
“It's hard for just, service industry that works late and the people that go out late, those who walk to their cars and don't want to be worried that something is going to happen because somebodies getting into a fight or vandalizing something or doing something stupid just because alcohol or not,” Banks added.
There are several people who don't feel any concern. Anthony Suarez frequents the downtown Greensboro area. He said he moved here from Florida about a year and a half ago.
“It's very relaxed, it's very calm, very you know, relaxing, I don't out here with any concerns when I come out here. You know, I have a good time, meet good people and then I just kind of go on with my business at the end of the night,” Suarez shared.
The city of Winston-Salem is considering adding a fourth police district downtown for extra safety. WFMY News 2 will keep you updated on what they decide.
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