DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Durham city council has voted to let the U.S. Justice Department help the city deal with violent crime and police-community relations.
The News & Observer (https://bit.ly/1AoyVfg ) reports council members voted unanimously Thursday to accept an offer of training and technical assistance from federal consultants. The aid comes at no cost to the city.
Consultants completed an analysis of crime and community attitudes toward police in April. The analysis showed firearm homicides and aggravated assaults primarily happen in high-poverty areas with large minority populations in Durham. It also reported residents complain they are targeted and “baited” by police.
Mayor Bill Bell asked the center to look at Durham in 2014 after a spike in homicides and strained relations between residents and police.
There was no indication when federal assistance might begin.
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Information from: The Charlotte Observer, https://www.charlotteobserver.com
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