Durham Police Monitor DBAP More Closely After Player Attacked

The Norfolk Tides beat the Durham Bulls seven to five, but it was one of the Tides' pitchers that got a beating after the game. Pitcher Brian Maxcy was walking along Blackwell Street, headed to his hotel, when he was attacked.

Police say a man tried to rob Maxcy, striking him twice with a steel pole. The Pitcher was treated and released. A suspect is in custody for the attack. Investigators say the suspect admitted to police he was on crack cocaine at the time.

People say they feel the area is safe. "I feel pretty safe, because I haven't seen a violent person come out of nowhere, and attack me or my children," said Martha McQuaig, a Durham resident. "But that's just me. People walk this area during daytime, and night." She says during a ballgame, "It's so crowded, sometimes brawling fights break out because of the large number of people."

Police break down their crime statistics in one-square block areas. Durham Police data says there were nine aggravated assaults and 33 robberies in the ballpark area in 1997.

The Bulls say the area is not unsafe. They say only one other person has been robbed so far this year.

Durham Police say statistically the area around the DBAP is one of the safest of the downtown.