CHAPTER 4: CRIME

Crime was an issue frequently mentioned by both Durham County service providers and community members. Responses indicated both general concerns for citizen safety as well as specific focuses on sub-populations of Durham County including youth, homeless populations, Hispanic/Latino populations, and low-income residents. Residents and providers cited multiple issues related to crime that could be improved while commending the city and residents in working to improve the safety of Durham residents. Although crime was mentioned multiple times, urban residents reported it most commonly. Particular concerns regarding crime and youth were confined to crimes committed by youth, including the estimation by a service provider that "almost 90% of the youth in the criminal justice system are African American." Data accessible through the State Bureau of Investigation aggregates race data for both adults and juveniles making verification of this statement difficult. Of the service providers and community members who addressed this concern most, they suggested more involvement in preventive actions including schools, families, and the community.

The issue of victimization against the homeless population and the Hispanic/Latino population was often cited. Additional presentation of the impact of crime in the Hispanic community is discussed in the Cultural Diversity/Hispanic Issues Chapter. The current initiative to open a credit union catering to the Hispanic population is expected to reduce robberies and related crimes against Hispanics and Latinos. As one community member said, "Right now these lower-income communities are crying out for better police protection. Well, we need to listen to them but we're not." This statement represents a community member's beliefs of unequal distribution of resources based on class. Another community member suggested that changes in the police force management have resulted in more support and activity from the police sector to increase services to low-income neighborhoods. The assignment of a police officer to each of the four P.A.C. districts has increased rapport between the police department and Durham neighborhoods.

In general, feedback regarding crime rates in Durham was mixed. "We have a crime rate that is going down," said one service provider. Some residents were positive about the progress in addressing crime. One resident cited the preventive approaches to crime of the Durham Police Department and chief as influential in decreasing crime. These and similar responses express the perception that Durham has made progress in addressing this issue. Statistics from the 1998 Crime Index suggests that crime has decreased from 10,508 per 100,000 residents in 1997 to 9,571 per 100,000 residents in 1998. While service providers and some residents' responses were consistent with the crime data, other residents voiced a need for improved efforts towards reducing crime in Durham. When asked where Durham needs more attention, one resident identified that "crime would absolutely be number one. We just have to reduce the crime rate. They talk in numbers like 'oh, it's better', it's not."

As stated above, although Durham's crime rate has decreased, the rate is still much higher than its neighboring counties of Wake County (3,432 crimes per 100,000 residents in 1998) and Orange County (2,481 crimes per 100,000 residents in 1998). This comparison may reflect the sentiments of Durham residents that decreasing crime remains a priority. Steps appear to be in motion in addressing crime and violence in Durham County. Partners Against Crime (P.A.C.) organizations were repeatedly mentioned as an example. It is a neighborhood based coalition broken into 4 districts in which community members have the opportunity to address crime and other issues related to quality of life with representatives from the police department and other county agencies. One resident mentioned that "some of the officers are assigned to the West End and they come to P.A.C meetings…I think things like that are very helpful." Another resident remarked how helpful P.A.C has been in reducing crime as a "grassroots organization" that allows "for a direct connection between the people and the city".

Specific issues mentioned by residents and service providers related to violence include crime perpetrated by weapon violence and drug trafficking. Durham residents consistently mentioned that "gun violence is a public health concern" and a "growing problem" for their communities. Several residents particularly highlighted availability of handguns as part of the problem. One resident guessed that "there were more places in Durham to buy handguns than there are gas stations." Taking a stand against violence, many residents mentioned their involvement in homicide victim prayer services and activities that encourage more responsibility for gun manufacturers.

Drug problems have become an unfortunate, yet common problem in many urban and rural settings. Drug trafficking was mentioned as a primary concern in achieving a healthy sense of community in Durham. Both community members and service providers agreed that the drug problem is being addressed, however many felt more should be done. Drug problems have run over some neighborhoods. A few residents identified the drug trafficking problem as a result of poverty, saying, "Where you don't have legal job opportunities people have been creating illegal job opportunities." Another resident said, "Where they have been successful is where they do both law enforcement and plus they put in positive things. Like, they rebuild housing. They put in good programs for the people. It takes a long time, It takes a long investment and we are still not doing enough of that." These comments reflect the complexity of drug problems and speak to the larger issue of poverty and lack of opportunity.

Domestic violence was mentioned primarily during interviews with service providers. As advocates for domestic violence victims, service providers noted the need for domestic violence resources. For example, cases of domestic violence received at the Durham Police Department during late 1999 fluctuated with 292 cases in August of 1999, 194 in September 1999, 189 in October 1999, and 321 in November 1999 (Personal Communication, Service Provider). It was also expressed that economic dependence and fear act as primary barriers that prevent victims who wish assistance from accessing those services. Threats and fear of immigration and language barriers were cited as additional barriers for many Hispanic women. One example described transference of fear for a victimized Latina who chose to leave her violent but familiar home environment to enter a shelter without translators or transportation to work and daycare.

These same reasons may also account for the absence of community member attention to domestic violence issues in interviews and focus groups. The traditionally taboo nature of domestic violence discussion in society continues to impact attitudes. Changing norms regarding domestic violence in Durham is a relatively new and slow process. As one service provider asserted, "it can happen to anyone", yet few people acknowledge a personal susceptibility. Additionally, "lack of awareness as to what can be done in domestic violence situations" may contribute to perceptions of domestic violence.

The increased focus on domestic violence at the state level, as mentioned in the section on secondary data, has been reflected in the recent expansion of domestic violence services in Durham at the county level. Some health care services such as Lincoln Community Health Center have added domestic violence questions to their intake inventories. Durham Police Department's Domestic Violence Unit began in 1997 with field response as their primary responsibility, but has since incorporated follow-up checks and victim contact into their procedures. La Hacia Paz Familiar opened in late 1999 to meet the domestic violence service needs of the Hispanic residents in Durham County. Currently a separate court exists in Durham County to hear domestic violence cases. Agencies also exist to provide counseling and other services to assist perpetrators. Many of these organizations communicate with each other, community members, and other area agencies and organizations, such as the court system, Durham Alliance Against Domestic Violence, Rape Crisis Center of Durham, and the Orange County Coalition for Battered Women, to work towards a more comprehensive approach to domestic violence. Although working as a team is truly an asset in dealing with domestic violence in Durham, the process of attaining consensus amongst agencies and organizations with separate agendas may be cumbersome.

This chapter demonstrates that the common concern among a diverse array of Durham County residents is the safety of its community. The most vocalized crime issues are gun violence and drug trafficking. Although liaison organizations, like P.A.C, that link the community directly with city representatives, have made progress in reducing crime, this seemingly successful method of addressing issues on a community level is still rather new and is not perceived as inclusive of Durham County residents. More discussion is warranted to assess specific aspects of crime that Durham residents feel need additional attention as well as addressing a more equal distribution of services to specific areas of Durham. Increased measures to prevent crime in youth is an investment in altering long-term impacts of youth crime.

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