Almost 60 arrests made in Durham in weeklong operation

Operation Washout is a local, statewide and national initiative targeting offenders, especially those who committed violent crimes. The operation combines the work of multiple law enforcement agencies to quickly remove dozens of criminals off the streets in a span of only a week.

Within Durham's city and county limits, 59 arrests were made between Sept. 19 and Sept. 30, including seven homicide arrests, officials said Thursday. Nine firearms and over $206,000 worth of drugs were seized in the operation.

Specific details on the arrests were not shared.

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The joint effort included the Durham Police Department, the Durham Sheriff's Office, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the U.S. Marshals Service and other agencies.

"There’s always a sigh of relief," said Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews. "I know that what has been done here certainly is impactful to our community."

Andrews thanked her officers "for working what seemed to be endless hours during this operation … sacrificing time with their families and missing some personal moments they’ll never get back."

All individuals arrested during Operation Washout were people wanted on outstanding warrants.

Andrews said the operation "focuses on the efforts that we aren’t normally able to focus upon because of staffing or because of workload."

"My hope is that at least knowing that the person who has been identified as the person that had done this crime starts to help the healing process a little bit, closing that chapter so we can move forward," Andrews said.

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Department data shows trends in Durham shootings over the past few years:

Demographic data shows 143 men were shot in Durham this year, compared with 29 women. Data shows 144 Black individuals were shot this year, compared with 27 white individuals and one person of "unknown" race.