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.