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Durham police, residents celebrate National Night Out

For 32 years, communities have taken part in a national effort to build neighborhoods and promote relations between police and the people they serve.

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DURHAM, N.C. — For 32 years, communities have taken part in a national effort to build neighborhoods and promote relations between police and the people they serve.

On Tuesday, Durham held more than 100 events to celebrate National Night Out, including a celebration in the McDougald Terrace neighborhood.

Officers in Durham say they are working to mend a relationship with the community that has been on the rocks.

"We are partners in making our communities better," said Capt. Kevin Cates with the Durham Police Department. "These events are where we meet people we generally haven't seen."

Cates said officers have been working toward cooperation, and that information about crime in the area would make everyone more safe.

"If they are not comfortable approaching a police officer to let them know what happened, it might be information we never get," he said.

John Lennon, a Durham native, agrees. He said he knows people who have had run ins with the police.

"And they felt it was very unfair the way they were treated," he said. "Get the help from the inside, instead of being on the outside."

National Night Out events were also held in North Hills, Wake Forest, Morrisville and Knightdale.

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