Durham leaders are working to take a new step toward reducing gun violence.
Conversations with community members about Durham's violence reduction plan got underway on Friday amid a recent string of shootings.
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"The homicides, pretty much, seem to be unending," Sidney Brodie said.
He attended Friday's discussion and is the founder of the Durham Homicide and Victims of Violent Death Memorial Quilt.
Brodie noted attendees looked at crime solutions implemented in other communities.
"Looking outside of our community, trying to see what's working in other areas. How can we incorporate some of those solutions within our community in Durham," Brodie said.
The talks come amid some progress. The Durham Police Department reports that some violent crime dropped nearly 17% in 2025.
After a recent string of shootings last month, some of which involved young people, and more shootings this week, Brodie said attendees highlighted a need for youth outreach funding.
He expressed confidence that Friday's discussion could yield better results in the future.
"The fact that we are bringing in the community and different aspects of the community to sit down at the roundtable and discuss what's needed in particular areas of Durham...It was just something different than I've seen here in recent times," Brodie said.
The conversations are part of a six-month approach that will end with a violence reduction summit this spring, where national experts are expected to inform strategies that could be implemented in Durham.
The conversations are part of the first of three phases in implementing the violence reduction plan.
