Hill has called in the Durham County Sanitation Department to clean up the mess. On Tuesday, trash trucks were quickly filled with everything from discarded bicycles and grills to indoor toilets.
"We're going to take out at least five (trucks) today," said Durham County waste reduction supervisor Larry Dixon. "Right now, we are trying to assist the Sheriff's Office in abating some of this litter all around this neighborhood."
The trash cleanup of the neighborhood followed a cleanup of criminal activity.
"We have violence over here: boys selling drugs, prostitutes walking up and down the streets, you know, gang members shooting and going on over here," said resident Dorothy McNeil. "The kids can't get out in the yard and play."
Why would the sheriff be involved in what should be the city's responsibility? Hill's office said the city of Durham is in the county's jurisdiction, and he has the authority to act.
The response from residents was positive. The hope is that the cleanup will lead to a cleaner and safer neighborhood in the long term.
Hill reported that his deputies have made dozens of arrests in the intersection of South driver Street and Angier Avenue, which is a major thoroughfare through Durham.
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