In Raleigh’s Lions Park neighborhood, residents say a string of vandalism incidents has turned everyday life into a nerve-wracking guessing game about what might get hit next. Sliding glass doors and windows have been shattered, bikes have vanished from yards and one homeowner is reportedly out about $6,000 in repairs. Neighbors say their surveillance cameras have repeatedly caught children picking up rocks and hurling them at homes, and one family says a large stone came dangerously close to a six‑month‑old inside their house. After months of damage, longtime residents say they now feel “totally unsafe.”
According to ABC11, homeowners report the trouble has been going on since last June, with multiple neighbors capturing what appears to be the same pattern of rock-throwing on security cameras. The station also notes that Raleigh police have talked with parents about what is happening and that some of the kids seen in the footage are as young as 7. Neighbors told ABC11 they want quicker follow-up from officers after repeated break-ins and smashed windows.
Where complaints are centered
Lions Park, at 516 Dennis Ave., is a major neighborhood hub with ballfields, tennis courts, playgrounds and a community center that anchors the area. The City of Raleigh notes that the community center hosts regular programming and evening events that draw families and youth throughout the week. Neighbors say that is exactly what makes the vandalism so unsettling: it is happening in and around a place where kids and parents are normally gathering for games, classes and playtime, not dodging flying rocks.
Police outreach but parents not always cooperative
Raleigh police told ABC11 that officers have already spoken with some of the parents of children seen on video, though authorities say not every parent has been willing to cooperate. The department says it is reviewing homeowners’ surveillance footage as part of its effort to pinpoint who is responsible. Residents plan to push for more visible patrols and clearer communication at a community meeting scheduled for Monday night.
How residents can report damage and what the city offers
The City of Raleigh provides guidance on how to report graffiti and coordinate removal and its online materials explain where residents should send complaints and how the Inspections Division can help organize clean-up efforts. According to the City of Raleigh, residents are encouraged to preserve any surveillance video and report incidents to help investigators build cases. Neighbors say they plan to bring their footage and a running list of vandalism reports to Monday’s 7 p.m. meeting at the Lions Park Community Center to press for a faster response.
Until then, residents say they will keep documenting every broken window and damaged yard ornament, hoping that a mix of community pressure and city action will finally put an end to the vandalism. Anyone with video or information is being urged to share it with police so investigators can identify who is responsible and help restore a sense of safety in the neighborhood.
