'It's not a pipe dream': Durham mayor talks gun violence, housing affordability in State of the City address
Durham Mayor Elaine O'Neal outlined her goals for the coming year during her first State of the City Monday.
Durham leaders have been working to address violent crime.
O’Neal laid out her plan that includes addressing crime and making the city more affordable.
Just 13 minutes in, O’Neal addressed her number one topic:
Crime in the Bull City.
“We are a city in pain, and we are struggling to make sense of the violence we continue to witness,” said O'Neal.
Just three months on the job, O’Neal has seen the numbers.
Data through April 2 shows the Bull City has had 182 shootings so far this year, with 60 people shot and 10 of them killed. The data also shows Durham is on pace this year for a new high for the number of shootings.
In the last 11 days, Durham has had 16 shootings, including six fatalities.
That’s why Mayor O’Neal is calling for more police officers, and a human support program to help those behind bars.
She even introduced us to a group of men she called reformers, who work to calm situations before they become violent.
"These are not pipe dreams," said O'Neal.
Anti-violence activist Sheryl Smith's son was murdered in 2005. She recently moved to another part of Durham to find somewhere safer to raise her kids. Smith said she was tired of the gunfire in her old neighborhood.
"I would like for [O'Neal] to focus more on programs, activities for the youth to keep them out of the streets," Smith said. "Keep them busy, keep them active.
"I would like for her to speak on about bringing more resources and activities in the community centers where these children live at."
Prior to the State of the City, O'Neal told WRAL News gun violence is uniquely American, but not unique to Durham.
"Until all of us care about our neighbors and begin to know who they are, nothing can be done to dent it," she said. "But if we all perform some type of community service in our own neighborhoods, we can make a difference."
On April 13, Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews announced a "secondary specialized unit to further address the violent crimes in our community, specifically the gun crime.”
During the State of the City, O’Neal also said she plans to make the city more affordable.
She wants the city to purchase housing inside city limits, and in turn sell the homes to residents, teachers and police officers all at an affordable price.
“We need to be bold and innovated in addressing our housing crisis,” said O'Neal.
Durham resident Dennis Garett told WRAL News he has faith in the mayors plan.
“She has a plan. What we need to do as citizens is allow her time," said Garett. "She's got a war going on and we are not giving her the ammunition.”
The Mayor is also asking everyone to volunteer five hours of their time to improve the community.
City of Durham receives $19.8 million grant
The city of Durham received $19.8 million in grant money from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The money from the U.S. Department of Transportation will directly shape the way residents and visitors can travel to and within the Bull City.
U.S. Rep. David Price, D-North Carolina, said the money is about not just transportation but equity.
"Nearly 80% of the 20,000 GoDurham riders that we have right this minute are people of color," Price said. "So, expanding, improving these public transit services are critically important to meeting our communities' and our countries’ equity goals, doing right by all of our citizens."
On Monday morning, area leaders praised Price for his help in securing the funds. Price also credited city leaders and their staff for their work on the grant applications.
Price also discussed how the city plans to allocate the grant money. About half the money is expected to go toward the Durham Station at 515 West Pettigrew St.
"Together, these projects could have and will have, I think, a major impact on the mobility and livability and economic competitiveness of Durham, Durham County and this region," Price said. "And there is an equity theme that traces through all of this, serving communities that have not always been first in line."
The other half of the money is going to what's called the "Rail Trail." It will be nearly two mile, mixed-use trail for pedestrians and cyclists. It will help to connect north Durham to downtown to places like the bus station.
