Durham residents debate if 2020 budget should include additional police officers

Statistics from the Durham Police Department show that homicides are up 75 percent from this time last year.

The latest numbers, from June 1, show 21 homicides so far in 2019 and 12 in the same time period in 2018. The numbers are prompting some to take a closer look at the city's proposed budget for a solution.

At Monday night's City Council meeting, the room was full of different opinions.

City Manager Tom Bonfield proposes adding 18 police officers to the force.

"Cops respond to violence. They do not prevent violence," one person said.

In a time where crime is increasing, Sheila Huggins, who is part of the group "Friends of Durham," said she believes more police officers could be a part of the solution.

"I think there is something to be said for having a police presence," she said. "It's very unlikely that someone is going to commit a crime when you have an officer close by, an officer [who] can be seen."

Others said they believe crime is better addressed by tackling its root causes.

"When people don't have housing, when they don't have health care, when they don't have their basic needs met, they do what they need to do to survive. That includes doing things we call crime," said Danielle Purifoy, a member of the group "Durham Beyond Policing."

Councilman Mark-Anthony Middleton says Police Chief C.J. Davis requested 18 more officers, and people should trust her.

"The chief of police is our subject matter expert," Middleton said.

He also pointed out that police do more than fight crime.

"Twenty people a day are moving to our city. There's going to be a lot more fender-benders in our city. Do we really want to sit for two hours for someone to come take a traffic report?" he said.

Bonfield explained his decision to include another 18 officers in his budget proposal.

"Improve response times, improve coverage, to give officers more time for community relations and to improve the work-life balance of officers," he said.

The City Council is expected to vote on the budget later this month.