Concern growing over armed security guards at Raleigh bus station

Calls are growing to disarm security at the downtown Raleigh bus station.

This comes after a private armed security team recently started patrolling the transit center.

The security guards are here. You may not always be able to see them, but they are constantly patrolling and some question why are they armed.

For the last 83 days, Capitol Special Police have patrolled the GoRaleigh station near Moore Square.

In that time frame Robert Buhler, whose stationery company is next door to the station, has seen the difference.

“We have seen an increase in foot traffic and customer safety downtown," Robert Buhler said. "A lot of people have been excited.”

Seven days a week, two armed security guards patrol the station. We watched two guards this afternoon as they talked with those waiting for a bus. Already, the security company has taken action.

As of Wednesday, 60 people were removed from terminal for being unruly. Around 120 people were removed from the buses. Fifty five people were directed to emergency services for help.

Not everyone is in favor of armed guards at the downtown station. There has been a push for guards to patrol, but without the guns.

"We don’t need armed security guards at the bus station at all," said Octavia Rainey, who regularly rides the bus.

Chief of Capitol Special Police Dr. Robert Taylor shared why that is a difficult request.

“We’ve never know when a situation will erupt," Taylor said. "If they are working without firearms, they won’t be able to protect themselves or others.”

Taylor goes on to share his office has not received any complaints about their guards.

He also adds that each security guard is wearing a body camera and their footage of their actions can be reviewed.