As Durham embarks on the search for a new chief of police, any job candidates will see the city's division written in the streets.
"DEFUND" is painted on Main Street near the police headquarters, while "FUND" is written outside the Human Services building, which houses the Department of Social Services and Durham Health Department.
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The city has no immediate plans to remove the words.
That's a concern for Larry Smith, retired DPD deputy police chief and spokesman for Durham's Fraternal Order of Police.
"Generally the city’s policy as it relates to graffiti has always been quick removal," he said. "Also, the city’s policy as it relates to employees is always wanting to have an environment where employees feel valued. But in this instance, the graffiti stays, and every day a police officer or a city employee of the largest department within the city goes by and looks at a message that makes them feel like they’re not valued."
Neither the mayor nor the current chief of police responded to WRAL News' questions about the writing.
The street has been painted since June 2020, when almost-nightly protests rocked the Bull City in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
A city spokeswoman said that no one has complained about the writing, and it's been determined that it is not a traffic hazard.
Smith, on the other hand, thinks the message has run its course.
"I think the message of 'defund the police' has been on the pavement out there for quite some time," he said. "It’s time to take it down. It’s time to separate the fact that there are good, hardworking honest police officers and not lump everyone in."