In Durham's Walltown, Churches, Residents Fight Back Against Drug Dealers

Posted 6:58 a.m. Jul 14, 2001 — Updated 6:58 a.m. Jul 14, 2001

DURHAM — Residents of Durham's Walltown neighborhood say that most Friday nights, they can see people dealing drugs on the streets. Churches and neighbors have decided to join hands and fight back through a program called Street Reach, which brings neighbors together, and offers an alternative to street life.

This past Friday, families filled Knox Street between Sedgefield and Berkley.

"I'm enjoying it. I think it's great. It's bringing the neighborhood together," said one resident.

The Street Reach program has a powerful message.

"If we can sell drugs on the corners, we can have church on the corners. We don't want to wait until there is a drive-by shooting. We don't want to wait until someone gets hurt or shot until we start coming together as a community," said another resident.

Organizers want kids to know that there is an alternative to drugs, gangs, and violence.

"We want to make a difference in the Walltown community," said a preacher.

The Street Reach program will run through the summer every other Friday at 6:30 p.m. The next one will be on July 27, and will be held on the corner of Englewood Avenue and Lancaster.

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