Primary Voter Guide: Fayetteville Candidates' Plans to Tackle Youth Crime

Addressing Youth Crime in Fayetteville: Mayoral Candidates Share Their Views

Youth crime has become a pressing concern for many communities, and Fayetteville is no exception. As part of the city’s primary election coverage, we asked each of the 10 mayoral candidates how they would address youth crime and whether they support a youth curfew. Here's what they had to say.

John Ashford

John Ashford did not respond to the questionnaire.

Courtney Banks-McLaughlin

Courtney Banks-McLaughlin emphasized the importance of building safer, connected communities. She supports the new police chief’s initiatives and believes in expanding mentorship, after-school programs, job training, and mental health resources. These efforts aim to provide positive alternatives for young people. She also supports a youth curfew, but with a focus on safety and community engagement rather than punishment. Additionally, she advocates for using technology like ShotSpotter, drones, and AI to respond quickly to gunfire incidents and enhance law enforcement capabilities. She also supports the Office of Community Safety and School Resource Officers (SROs) to protect schools and build stronger relationships with students.

Mario (Be) Benavente

Mario (Be) Benavente argued that curfews are not effective in reducing youth crime. He pointed to Charlotte’s experience, where a similar ordinance led to a 300% increase in juvenile homicides. He believes that youth crime peaks after school, not late at night, and that investments in summer jobs, after-school programs, late-night recreation, mentoring, and conflict resolution are more effective solutions. He criticized the curfew as a political stunt rather than a real fix.

Mitch Colvin (Incumbent)

Mitch Colvin, the incumbent mayor, reintroduced the youth curfew along with four other public safety measures in response to rising youth violence and arrests. He reported positive results over the past three months, including increased cooperation from parents, organizations, and community groups. He also noted a decrease in overall crimes during this period. He plans to continue the curfew while expanding youth-related community programs and partnerships.

Freddie de la Cruz

Freddie de la Cruz, with over 28 years of experience in law enforcement, proposed strategic police vehicle rotations, increased patrols, and non-invasive security technologies to mitigate crime. He also suggested assisting youth with transportation for recreational events and supporting organizations that help young people. He raised concerns about the potential violation of 4th Amendment rights if an 18-year-old appears underage and faces harassment from law enforcement.

Kathy Keefe Jensen

Kathy Keefe Jensen revived the Fayetteville Cumberland Youth Council, which has a 100% rate of members pursuing higher education. As mayor, she would foster partnerships with youth programs and create safe spaces after school. She also plans to use opioid litigation funds to support mental health initiatives. She supports the youth protective ordinance, viewing it as a way to keep children safe at home past 11 p.m., rather than as a form of punishment.

Clifton L. Johnson

Clifton L. Johnson believes addressing youth crime requires community-based programs, law enforcement partnerships, and intervention services. He highlighted programs like Operation Ceasefire and the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, which offer mentoring, conflict resolution, and support for at-risk youth and their families. He also mentioned micro-grants provided to community organizations for crime reduction efforts. The curfew, he said, serves as a preventive measure.

Nahlee Iris Smith

Nahlee Iris Smith proposed creating supportive programs focused on the arts, technology, agriculture, civic engagement, and science. She emphasized prevention through opportunity, suggesting investments in leadership development, entrepreneurship training, and career readiness programs. She also advocated for safe, spiritually supportive spaces for mental and physical health. While she understands the intent behind a youth curfew, she believes true safety comes from equipping youth with resources and mentorship rather than restrictions alone.

Tisha S. Waddell

Tisha S. Waddell linked youth crime to poverty and argued that curfews have not been proven to reduce crime. She emphasized strengthening families and giving young people purpose through mentorship, early intervention, affordable sports, and recreation. She also stressed the importance of building a strong local workforce with jobs offering steady wages and work-life balance. Her focus is on prevention and opportunity, not on restrictive measures that do not work.

Paul A. Williams

Paul A. Williams took a tough stance on youth crime, suggesting that if a youth engages in adult crime, they should be treated like adults and punished to deter others. He believed that leniency has contributed to the current situation and that expectations must change. He also emphasized the importance of turning around the local economy to create jobs for youth, keeping their minds occupied and reducing idle time. He does not support a curfew but instead advocates for holding parents accountable for allowing their children to be out unaccompanied at night.