WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Law enforcement agencies are increasing their presence in downtown Winston-Salem to address recent disturbances by teens out on the streets at night. 

What You Need To Know

  • Law enforcement agencies in the Triad are working together to reduce juvenile crime in downtown Winston-Salem

  • Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. proposed adding a curfew for teens, but Mayor Allen Joines said he disagrees with the idea

  • The county will work to provide a summer program for teens to deter them from mischief

Officers with Forsyth County and the city will be adding more downtown patrols. 

The county also raised money for a new summer educational program for children paid for with money the county raised. 

The pair of agencies said that with children getting out of school for summer, officers are always coming up with more strategies to keep younger and older people in the area safe. 

“As we begin the summer, one of the things we want to do is lay out a plan that we're constantly working on ... as to how we can increase visibility throughout the entire city, as well as the county,” Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. said.

Recently Kimbrough suggested a curfew for teens.

The council has not gathered to discuss his proposal, but Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines released a statement opposing the idea. 

“I respect Sheriff Kimbrough and his efforts to keep our community safe. He has done an outstanding job since he became Sheriff," Joines states. "In this case relative to creating a curfew for teenagers, I do disagree with the effectiveness of such action.

"First, it punishes all our teens because of the negative behavior of a few of their peers," he states. "It tends to create resentment and increase conflict between police and teens. It tends to criminalize non-criminal behavior."

"Finally, it places an added burden on our police department to enforce a curfew, even when our department is significantly understaffed,” Joines states.

The summer program will be rolled out in June.