The Town of Wake Forest is standing by its decision to station armed police officers on downtown rooftops during Friday Night on White after a longtime hardware store complained the tactic has it thinking about closing for future events. B & W Hardware says recent concerts have brought shoplifting, property damage and unruly crowds, and that officers have been placed on its roof to respond to problems. The standoff is fueling questions about exactly what weapons officers are carrying and how the town weighs crowd safety against the concerns of downtown businesses.
In a Facebook post, B & W Hardware said past FNOW nights brought property damage, shoplifting and “repeated issues with unruly and intoxicated customers” and that starting in May officers with long guns had been stationed on its building, according to The News & Observer. The town responded in its own post, saying Wake Forest police secured property-owner permission to put officers atop businesses and that rooftop posts are a routine way to monitor crowds. The News & Observer reported town spokesman Bill Crabtree told the paper the weapons at issue were not pepper‑ball launchers. “The rifles have bullets, not pepper balls,” he said, a description that sharpened concerns among some merchants and neighbors.
Where This Is Happening
B & W Hardware is a downtown staple at 232 S. White St., and its owners say the strain of policing and vandalism has become untenable on the block. Friday Night on White takes over South White Street and typically draws large crowds, while food trucks and vendors commonly set up in the nearby Depot Parking Lot.
Town Frames Rooftop Posts as Crowd Management
The Town of Wake Forest says its security plans make rooftop placements part of how it manages large gatherings, and it points to other events, including the July 3 fireworks spectacular at Heritage High School, where officers are similarly posted, according to the Town of Wake Forest. Officials say departments debrief after each FNOW night, collect feedback from merchants and attendees, and adjust staffing and operations based on what they hear.
Curfew Debate and Event Oversight
The Board of Commissioners debated an 8 p.m. curfew for unaccompanied teens at FNOW in 2024 but ultimately did not adopt the ordinance after postponements and further discussion, according to meeting notes. Public board agendas and attachments show venue maps, alcohol waivers and other planning documents the town uses to stage the series and coordinate police, parks and downtown staff.
Merchants Split, Officials Promise Talks
Reaction has been mixed. Some commenters and business owners thanked the town for visible policing, while others called the response tone deaf, and Wake Forest Commissioner Adam Wright said he would include Friday Night on White in a downtown-business summit, according to The News & Observer. Town leaders say they want the series to boost downtown commerce while keeping people safe, and they have pledged to keep meeting with merchants and adjusting operations as needed.
Friday Night on White remains on the calendar through September, but the rooftop policing flare-up has highlighted how a popular summer night can create friction on a tight downtown strip. Past local coverage of Friday Night on White has tracked the series' growth and the logistics that keep it running, and officials, merchants and residents will be watching how this summer's dates, and the conversations that follow, play out.
