First there was concern over the price tag of the new safety center in Raleigh, but now there’s controversy over its name. It’s name, the Clarence Lightner Safety Center is to be named after Raleigh’s first and only black mayor. However, Raleigh police detective Kevin Rooker had set up a facebook page to get support in changing the name to honor someone else in emergency services; he has recently taken it down. Criticism of racial undertones sounded off and Detective Rooker submitted a letter of apology. Bruce Lightner, son of Clarence Lightner,says he will only accept the apology in person.
