Anti-violence group expanding in Durham as shootings escalate

Bull City United is more than tripling in size, and organizers of the anti-violence group say they can be part of the answer to Durham's problem.

"The violence in the city is pressing. It’s a pressing issue that we feel like we can help out," said David Johnson, supervisor of Bull City United.

Police responded to 352 shootings in Durham through June 12, which is down about 9 percent from a year ago. But the number of fatalities is up by 54 percent, from 11 to 17.

"Whenever these things happen, we really feel it throughout our community," Mayor Steve Schewel said, calling the Holloway Street shooting gang-related.

Bull City United has received funding from Durham County for several years, but the Durham City Council voted this year to put $1 million behind the group to broaden its footprint across the city.

"Our Bull City United folks, really, they do courageous work," Schewel said.

The city funding helped them hire seven people last week, and Johnson said they plan to hire 11 more soon.

"We’re boots on the grounds every day in these communities, interacting with high-risk individuals and just being great role models and shining the light in the community to show them a better way out," he said.

"I’m in the community ... daily, trying to change my community in a positive way," Boggan said.

"It’s OK to get a job. It’s OK not to go out and do some of the things that unfortunately we have done," he said. "That’s our main mission and our main goal."

The Durham Police Department also hopes to hire more people to help fight crime, officials said. About 14 percent of the department's positions are vacant, and officials said they're looking to hire 79 people.