After WRAL Investigates reported on five county anti-violence workers being charged with crimes, Durham's county manager said the county will conduct an assessment of the program.

Bull City United (BCU) has received millions of dollars in taxpayer funding since its inception in 2016.

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The group's stated mission is to reduce violence in the community by employing individuals with criminal histories who can convince others there's a better way. Durham's City Council and county commissioners have repeatedly voted to continue funding the program and even expand it.

In recent years, WRAL Investigates has reported on Bull City United employees being charged with gun and drug offenses and, most recently, with accessory after the fact to murder. Raymond Harwell, a BCU employee since 2022, is accused of helping an accused murderer flee the scene after 19-year-old Jeremiah Williams was shot.

"I'm outraged," Williams' father, Jeremiah Williams, Sr., told WRAL Investigates about Harwell's alleged involvement in his son's killing. "The whole purpose of the organization is defer all of this. Or at least try. You ain't trying if you're a part of it."

Williams described his son as an outgoing, loved young man who planned to enroll in college and further his love for basketball and fashion.

"It's a hole in my whole life, you know," he said. "Your kid's supposed to bury you. You're not supposed to bury your kid."

Williams said police were alerted to the shooting that ultimately claimed his son's life thanks to ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology, which the city has since stopped buying. He finds it ironic that Durham continues to fund the group that employed the alleged getaway driver.

"My taxpayer dollars go to that," he said.

According to a county spokesperson, Harwell is on leave with pay from his role.

Williams, who was raised in Durham, believes the concept of BCU has merit, but it is not working effectively.

"They hire the wrong folks, if you ask me," he said.

WRAL Investigates sought an interview or statement from Durham County Manager Kimberly Sowell, who chose to provide a written statement. She wrote, in part:

“We are aware of the concerns that have arisen about the Bull City United program ... like any county program, we need to ensure BCU is working efficiently and effectively to achieve our objectives. With that in mind, we are conducting an assessment of the program, with the goal of solidifying its place as a leader in reducing violence and helping people reach their true potential. I anticipate this review will take a few months to complete. At the end of that time, we will present our findings and recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners and the community.”

Because the city of Durham also provides funding to the group, WRAL Investigates reached out to every Durham City Council member to ask the following questions:

  • Do you believe the city should still be providing taxpayer dollars to fund this group?
    • What data have you seen that indicates BCU is successful in reducing violence?
      • How are you holding the group accountable, ensuring its members are preventing violence in our community and not contributing to it?

        A city spokesperson replied with a statement: "The city has an inter-local agreement with Durham County to reimburse some of the costs for staff and the day-to-day management of Bull City United. The city does not actually manage the program and receives only contractually required performance data each quarter. Your questions, at this time, would be best answered by Durham County staff."

        Williams believes, as the sources of BCU's funding, the city and county are responsible for what happened to his son, and he thinks an assessment of the group should have happened long ago.

        "You should've done that before you started funding it," he said. "They're not just finding out that things are happening within the program. You said you've been reporting on it how long? They're not just finding out. Why are they just now doing an assessment."

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