Durham officials addressed the city Wednesday at a press conference in the wake of a string of five shootings.
A recent string of five shootings — the first of which occurred Saturday — have left three dead and five others injured. The spike in gun violence and a WRAL investigation into crimes committed by Durham residents in neighboring cities prompted the official remarks from Mayor Leonardo Williams, County Commissioner Board Chair Nida Allam and Millicent Rogers, Durham Public Schools board chair.
“We wanted to make sure we are present and that we are aware of some of the recent events in our community, and also to ensure that we are standing together firmly as the city, as the county [and] as the school board,” Williams said. “… This is a moment for us to make sure that we're letting our community know that we're listening, and also to ensure that the expectations are properly managed.”
Williams acknowledged that although “there is crime happening in our city just like any other city,” Durham County, city and DPS officials have invested heavily in the Durham community. Williams said that while he cannot control the actions of an individual, he can lead the government response through youth engagement programs and efforts to provide resources for those who need jobs and housing.
In particular, Williams pointed to the Bull City Future Fund, a fund that “seeks to target and address youth engagement and provide support for community organizations in Durham” by investing in nonprofits and providing grants to youth-focused organizations. He also highlighted Project 300 and the POOF Teen Center as organizations with similar goals.
“Let's keep our eyes on what we can do together to address our challenges that we have,” Allam said. “We are stronger when we focus on things that connect us, not on the things that divide us. And Durham is woven into the fabric of this Triangle community.”
Rogers also highlighted the recent successes of the public school system, including the opening of three new public schools in the last three years and a cumulative $77.1 million in scholarships amassed by DPS students.
“These are the accomplishments that you should be reporting about Durham Public Schools and the growth of Durham as we move forward,” Rogers said. “We will continue to work hand in hand with our city and county partners to protect our community, to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and uphold the values that make Durham such an extraordinary place to learn and grow.”
Throughout the press conference, Durham officials addressed the WRAL article published Monday, which Williams characterized as “unfair.” The report pointed to a 35% increase in crimes committed in Wake County by people from Durham County over a five-year period, amid only a 15% increase in all county charges during the same time frame.
Williams argued that the article provided “a very cherry-picked angle” and asked whether data about crime in Durham from other cities was considered.
"We must tell our story, it's ours to tell," Williams said. "It won't be misrepresented. I don't lose my cool, I don't get upset, but when you mess with my community in this way, then you will hear from me in this way."
Allam and Rogers echoed the sentiment.
“We invite the press to tell the full real story of what Durham is, not just the challenges that we're working on, but about the many ways Durham shows up for our region’s success,” Allam said. “Let's highlight what unites us and the real accomplishments we can all share in and the incredible things that we can do when we work together.”
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Claire Cranford is a Trinity sophomore and features managing editor for the news department.