We’ve all had that feeling — trying to start your car and realizing your battery is dead; walking up and down the same city block 10 times because Google Maps has abandoned you. But did you know that downtown Raleigh is staffed with full-time help for situations just like these, and many others?
Raleigh, meet your ambassadors. The Downtown Raleigh Alliance employs community and engagement personnel to provide information, service visitors and residents + contribute to the overall safety of our downtown.
And while their roles have shifted during the current health crisis — ambassadors are observing complete social distancing protocols — they are still on patrol, ready if we need them, monitoring all 110 blocks of our downtown area on foot, bicycles + segways. If you see someone in a sky blue polo, it’s likely to be one of them. And they’ll be around when our stay-at-home order ends, too.
So how can they help? Typically, downtown ambassadors provide the following services for the community, seven days a week (except on certain holidays) —
- Way-finding assistance
- Dining recommendations
- Recommendations for cultural attractions
- Business check-ins
- Resident assistance
- Direction during special events
- Motorist assistance
- Safety walks
They also patrol municipal parking decks and are prepared to engage local responders in case of emergency. If you need assistance from an ambassador — i.e. to request a safety walk or a car jump — call 919-368-7962.