I'm from Rocky Mount and I keep hearing about awful stuff happening there. This morning I saw a WRAL story about a Raleigh man being shot and three others being arrested in the case.

I thought: "Finally, I get to read about violent crime that DOESN'T involve my hometown."

http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/11021155/

4/25/2012 1:36:21 PM

All the retail stores are leaving

4/25/2012 1:38:42 PM

My Aunt and Uncle live there. He always complains about how terrible it is there.

4/25/2012 1:39:59 PM

I have fond memories of entering Golden East mall's food court entrance and immediately being able to hear the busted speaker of one the arcade prize games blaring at about an 11.

4/25/2012 1:42:23 PM

'Tis sad. It's a real shithole now. Feel bad for my aunt/uncle/cousins... though some distant cousins are probably part of the shenanigans.

4/25/2012 1:43:52 PM

back in '09 it was one of the 10 most impoverished cities in America

http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/12/most-impoverished-cities-business-beltway-poverty-cities_slide_10.html

I seriously doubt it has improved in the last 3 years

4/25/2012 1:48:28 PM

Reasons for why it's turrible....

GO!

4/25/2012 1:49:27 PM

poverty... I done said it

poverty = crime

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/nc/rocky-mount/crime/


CRIME INDEX
2 (100 is safest)
Safer than 2% of the cities in the US.

4/25/2012 1:51:26 PM

4/25/2012 2:00:39 PM

I really wish my parents would leave. That place has gone so far down the shitter that I don't feel comfortable with them living there. It is much worse now than it was when I left over 10 years ago, but even then it was a pretty rough place.

Looking back I can see how strange it was, but when you don't know anything different it just seems normal. The neighborhood I grew up in until I was 10 was pretty nasty. My brother and I were constantly getting into scuffles or running from people who wanted to jump us or steal our bikes/skateboards. It's pretty sickening because looking back half of those people qualified as adults.

Fuck all that noise. Piece of mind is worth picking up and moving to a better place.

[Edited on April 25, 2012 at 2:10 PM. Reason : l]

4/25/2012 2:04:55 PM

but we're getting a hobby lobby!

4/25/2012 2:09:38 PM

It was pretty shitty back in '01 - I can't imagine it's improved

4/25/2012 2:11:01 PM

I showed Rocky Mount to my friend from Lillehammer, Norway

he was polite

4/25/2012 2:31:53 PM

When I moved from covering the RDU area to covering eastern NC with Geek Squad...

Instead of saying get out of Durham by nighttime, it was replaced by Rocky Mount.

4/25/2012 2:37:12 PM

Rocky Mount did prepare me to walk casually around some awful neighborhoods in relative safety

look like you belong and know exactly what you're doing
that's it

doesn't hurt to carry a little flash cash either

4/25/2012 2:51:29 PM

I love their disc golf courses- they have 4 within 3-5 minutes of each other

4/25/2012 3:03:41 PM

years ago in high school we went to NC wesleyan to see a play, then we ate at a mall. Little did we know, someone was actually shot not far from us about an hour before we got there.

place is a shithole

4/25/2012 3:07:10 PM

hold on there buddy

those are harsh words for someone NOT from RM

I think you need to watch your fucking mouth, huh?

4/25/2012 3:11:13 PM

I've been harassed by people with guns in Rocky Mount. The worst was when a carload of guys emptied a revolver as they drove by me bicycling on a country road. I'm guessing they were trying to scare me rather than kill me, but who knows. Hitting a moving target from a moving target with a short barrel revolver isn't as easy as it would seem.
Seen crazy brawls with weapons...Box cutters, clubs, etc. Had a couple of friends get cut pretty badly in about four or five spots at a party the night before our senior year started.
Been harassed unjustly by police there many times.
Have a friend (Snewf probably knows him too) who was shot for no apparent reason riding a scooter on a country road. Carload of guys just rode by, shot him in the side right above his waist, and stopped to look for him after he dumped the scooter and hid in the brush on the side of the road.

If I keep thinking I could drag up a bunch more stories.

Quote :

"Looking back I can see how strange it was, but when you don't know anything different it just seems normal."

[Edited on April 25, 2012 at 3:19 PM. Reason : l]

4/25/2012 3:13:10 PM

yes, this place is a shit hole, but it probably depends somewhat on who you hang out with & where. i was born here, still live here (family business), & have never been around anything remotely like what you describe.

i don't go to the mall after dark (or really at all) & i don't go to walmart either though.

4/25/2012 3:15:34 PM

It's not normal to be afraid to go to Wal-Mart or the mall in the busiest commercial district of a city. RMPD really needs to step up its game.

4/25/2012 3:17:15 PM

i never said it was normal. i'm just saying i've never been around/near/in a situation like those you described.

4/25/2012 3:18:21 PM

RMPD packs assault rifles in their cars

4/25/2012 3:18:56 PM

-black serial killer
-matt hutcheson kills some dude in his momma's house then bags him up & sets him on fire in another neighborhood

feel free to add. these are just the more recent ones.

4/25/2012 3:25:15 PM

^^^ The shooting incidents I referred to did not happen in bad areas or even areas that I would avoid to this day. My incident happened on Halifax Rd. near the Greystone neighborhood and my buddy was shot near the RM reservoir. It's just sad when you can't get out and live your life without worry of dealing with those kinds of things. I know bad things happen everywhere, but in RM it's too common.

[Edited on April 25, 2012 at 3:25 PM. Reason : s]

4/25/2012 3:25:20 PM

if I lived in RM I would never go out drinking
because I'd always want to be legally allowed to carry a gun

4/25/2012 3:27:29 PM

I used to enjoy seeing skanks in 80's club outfits at Gator's before they rolled over to MXB3.

4/25/2012 3:28:50 PM

hahaha Gator's

oh hey, is Da Boat Ryde Complex still open?

I want to go

4/25/2012 3:32:36 PM

ahahaha

I wasn't aware that was an actual place, but I just pulled up their facebook page and have a friend who "likes this".

Keeping it extra classy.

4/25/2012 3:35:29 PM

you should try their oysters

4/25/2012 3:36:18 PM

Imagine what it was like for me....going to the big city of Rocky Mount from Tarboro....

I also have fond memories of Tilt, since most of its games actually worked...

what a dump.

4/25/2012 4:05:07 PM

Great memories from Tilt. And Starcade in Tarrytown after eating at K&W.

4/25/2012 4:12:14 PM

Still waiting for the Starcade at Tarrytown to open back up so I can cash in these tickets.

4/25/2012 4:46:20 PM

Yea its bad when you lived in Roanoke Rapids or later on, and even worse, Scotland Neck, and hitting up Rocky Mount was a big time. And holy shit going to Crabtree or Southpoint was an awesome fucking weekend.

I still enjoyed eating at the mexican restaurant at the power plant though.

4/25/2012 5:08:31 PM

^ Chicos! I still have friends who work there.

4/25/2012 5:11:13 PM

Quote :

"The racial makeup of the city was 40.92% White, 56.02% African American"

Just sayin'.

4/25/2012 5:23:55 PM

4/25/2012 5:58:47 PM

Chico's is the only reason i go to RM anymore. Mom comes to see me to get away from Enfield, so I dont even have to go to Enfield anymore. hooray!

4/25/2012 6:07:12 PM

Chico's is a nasty salt lick. All the food is super insanely salty. San Jose is way better.

4/25/2012 6:32:48 PM

i work in rocky mount and i only go to planet fitness and work.


used to be scared getting off work and midnight and needing gas


rocky mount:shooting::durham:stabbing

4/25/2012 6:36:10 PM

here's just a random sampling of crimes from one evening in Rocky Mount between 11PM and 4AM


1/2/11 @ 0344 hours

Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury

1800 Stone Rose Dr. - Da Boatryde Club

Victim: Male, age 24

Suspect: Chryshon Fields, age 24 - no photo available at this time

Officers responded to Nash General Hospital in reference to an assault that had occurred at Da Boatryde Club. The male victim alleged that he was dancing when he was pushed by the suspect, Chryshon Fields. The victim advised that when he turned around, the suspect then cut him on the face with an unknown object. After being escorted off of the property by security, the victim drove himself to Nash General Hospital to receive treatment. Warrants were obtained on Chryshon Fields for Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury. Fields has not been located at this time.

1/2/11 @ 2042 hours

Attempted Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon

Gold Rock Rd. @ Greyson Rd.

Victim: Male, age 34

Suspects: Three unknown males, approximate age range in 20’s, wearing dark clothing and blue and black bandanas

The victim was walking when he was approached by two unknown male suspects. One of the suspects pointed a handgun at him and demanded money. When the victim refused, the suspect struck him in the face with the handgun. The victim ran and called the police. The suspects were picked up by another unknown male driving a blue minivan and fled the scene heading towards Greyson Rd. The victim sustained a small laceration on his chin, but did not request medical treatment.

1/2/11 @ 0201 hours

Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury/Assault on a Female

707 Colony Square

Victim: Male, age 40, Female, age 28, Female, age 21

Suspect: Monty Kwantre Garner, age 32 of Roanoke Rapids, NC - no photo available at this time

Garner assaulted his girlfriend, age 21 and then assaulted another female, age 28, who tried to assist the victim. One of the female victims went inside her residence to obtain help from her husband. The male exited the residence with a sword and attempted to stop the suspect. The suspect grabbed the sword from the male victim and cut the male victim on the arm and right side of his body. The suspect left the scene. The male victim was transported to Nash General Hospital and was treated for non-life threatening injuries. Warrants were obtained on Garner for Assault on a Female and Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury. The suspect has not been located at the time of this report.

1/2/11 @ 0229 hours

Disorderly Conduct by Fighting

1127 Benvenue Road - Club Hollywood

Suspect: Maceo Alphonsa Wiggins, age 21 and Aaron Delisio Randolph, age 25

Officers responded to a fight in progress inside the club. Wiggins was charged with simple affray and was issued a $1000 unsecured bond. Randolph was charged with Simple Affray and was issued a $1000 unsecured bond.

1/1/11 @ 2333 hours

Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle / Damage to Property

1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd. - The Cookout

Victims: Male, age 46, male, age 19 and male, age 17

Suspects: Unknown

The victims were at the Cookout when unknown suspects in an unknown vehicle fired several rounds at the victims’ vehicle resulting in damage. No injuries.

1/1/11 @ 2158 hours

Deceased Person - Pedestrian

102 E. Grand Ave - Railroad Crossing

Victim: Tommy Richardson, age 39 of Rocky Mount

The victim, Tommy Richardson, was walking across the railroad crossing at East Grand Ave. and was struck by a train. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Medical Examiner. Witnesses observed flashing lights operating and the railroad crossing arms were in the down position when Richardson walked across the tracks. CSX investigators and RMPD responded to conduct the accident investigation. This is an ongoing investigation.

1/1/11 @ 0320 hours

Common Law Robbery, Possession of Firearm by Felon and Larceny of a Firearm

1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd

Victim: Male, age 23

Suspect: Martavious Anton Avent, age 21

The victim alleged the suspect removed a firearm from his pistol holster while in line to get food at the Cookout and then the suspect ran behind K-Mart. Officers located the suspect and the firearm. The suspect, Avent, was charged with Common Law Robbery, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Larceny of a Firearm and Possessing a Firearm while being Under the Influence of Alcohol. He received a $24,000 secured bond and was transported to the Nash County Jail.

1/1/11 @ 0220 hours

Damage to Property

349 Falls Road - Club Rain parking lot

Victim: Female, age 28

An unknown suspect damaged the front windshield of the victim’s vehicle while she was inside the nightclub.

1/1/11 @ 0515 hours

Suspicious Fire

412 Villa Street

Officers and RMFD responded to a house fire. The case is currently under investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

1/1/11 @ 2318 hours

Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury

2731 N. Church Street - American Legion

Victim: Brandon Steve Blagrove, age 22

Suspect: Unknown black male, approximate age in 20’s, wearing dark clothing

Officers responded to a fight in progress located in the parking lot. The victim was located on the north side of the building with severe head injuries. The victim was transported to Nash General Hospital. If anyone has information on this crime, contact Crime Stoppers at 977-1111 or crimestoppers@rockymountnc.gov

4/25/2012 9:33:29 PM

I like that Mexi-American restaurant, Chico's.

4/25/2012 10:23:13 PM

^many - Holy crap I knew Matt Hutchinson. Any more info on that. I left RM in 04 and try to return as little as possible.

4/25/2012 10:30:09 PM

I bought some dog biscuits from there one time. Fed them to my friends.

4/25/2012 11:07:15 PM

^I think you probably meant to post that as Canis Lupis

[Edited on April 25, 2012 at 11:20 PM. Reason : .]

4/25/2012 11:20:13 PM

I go to the walmart at 2 am.
Shit gets real, yo.

4/26/2012 8:06:49 AM

what kind of ants are those in that gif?

4/26/2012 9:10:10 AM

Quote :

"Still waiting for the Starcade at Tarrytown to open back up so I can cash in these tickets. "

Are you going to get the fake mustache or mustache comb?

4/26/2012 9:13:52 AM

Quote :

"my brother was super good friends with (& dated for a while) caroline hutcheson back in the day."

I knew Caroline too. That story is gross, lol.

My first job out of college was education reporter for the Rocky Mount Telegram. Worked quite a bit with Snewf's mom, and heard lots of Snewf stories.

I actually really enjoyed my time there, and return to visit every once in a while.

Also, El Tap trumps all other Mexican food in RM.

4/26/2012 9:20:06 AM

^Indeed now El Tap does. However when I was a wee lad I remember a time when the only halfway decent mexican restaurant in the area was Chico's. Plus I loved sitting out by the river on the patio area. Then El T's opened out there down by where Lowe's used to be and finally built on that location that made it the most convenient Mexican restaurant to eat at. When I took some classes at Wesleyan I used to go there all the time and get a lunch special or just chip and cheese dip. So while I much prefer El Tapatio's now, I have great memories of going to Chico's and loving that whole power plant area.

The one restaurant I miss the most though is Bob Melton's when it was down by the river. That joint had some great food and I really loved the location. I never went to the new one after the old building flooded out and I have that they closed down. That was probably my second favorite place to go as a little kid when we went to RM.

4/26/2012 9:29:14 AM