Local

‘Make memories, not enemies.’ New midnight messages coming to Glenwood South

Glenwood South, Raleigh’s rowdy wild child, is getting shushed.

The nightlife area in downtown Raleigh has seen an uptick in crime and attention in recent months, prompting Raleigh to up police enforcement and close parts of the street during weekend early morning hours as people leave the bars.

Now, it’s adding a handful of “midnight messages” to “remind residents and visitors that we can have fun and be respectful of the neighborhood at the same time.”

The vibe? The kids need to play nice before the parents turn the car around.

Some of the signs read:

“Make memories, not enemies. Socialize responsibly.”

“Sparkle with glitter, but please don’t litter. Keep Raleigh clean.”

“Don’t be a fool. Be safe. Be quiet. Be cool. Socialize responsibly.”

Reactions online range from amusement to skepticism. One commenter said the new signs were “passive aggressive meets spicy.”

“Love the idea but these signs have zero chance of surviving the first weekend,” said another.

Others had questions about the animal on the sign. Is it a cat? A superhero kangaroo? Mewtwo?

The city confirmed it’s a squirrel, and wants a name for it. Suggestions on the city’s Instagram so far: Midnight Murphy. Responsible Rupert. Neighborly Nigel.

“I love the light-hearted and humorous touch and also appreciate the strong messaging,” said Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin. “And I can’t wait to hear the name that is chosen for the squirrel.”

Raleigh is adding new midnight message signs to Glenwood South to encourage residents and visitors to be respectful of the neighborhoods.
Raleigh is adding new midnight message signs to Glenwood South to encourage residents and visitors to be respectful of the neighborhoods. City of Raleigh
Anna Roman
The News & Observer
Anna Roman is a service journalism reporter for the News & Observer. She has previously covered city government, crime and business for newspapers across North Carolina and received many North Carolina Press Association awards, including first place for investigative reporting. 
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER