'We cannot arrest the crime away;' Durham police chief, sheriff address rising crime rates

Law enforcement, faith leaders and political leaders held a news conference on Saturday afternoon addressing the rising crime rates.

"Black lives matter," Durham Sheriff Clarence Birkhead said on Saturday. "Unfortunately, some have died at the hands of police. But more have died at the hands of those who look like them."

Durham has seen more than 700 shootings so far this year, according to the sheriff.

This year, there have been an "unprecedented" number of shootings in Durham, he said.

"We need to start today curbing this violence," Birkhead said. "Addressing this pain and healing our community. I know we can do it, we can do it together."

There's a direct connection between a lack of education and crime, Birkhead said. He also suggested that crime is connected to low socio-economic status.

Cerlelyn Davis, Durham police chief, spoke with passion on Saturday's press conference about how large the problem of rising crime rates is.

"The Durham Police Department cannot handle a problem that is bigger than the Durham Police Department," she said.

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Crime in Durham disproportionally affects people of color, Davis said, in both victims and arrests.

Many different speakers talked about the disconnect between Durham's affluent community and Durham's low-income community.

"It's going to take everybody to mobilize and be angry enough to save a life," Davis said.

She said that Durham police "cannot arrest the crime away," and the whole problem of crime involves social issues, Davis said.

Birkhead called on clergy members to "stand with" law enforcement. He said, "now is not the time to seek sanctuary in the churches, all across Durham."

The sheriff also asked churches to take an "active role" in stopping violence on the streets. He also suggested that clergy members run for office to better the community.

Durham County Commissioner Brenda Howerton addressed racism as a "public health crisis," and asked the county to look at racist systems in place that prevent Black people from moving upward in society.

Howerton has been the only Black woman on the board for the past 12 years, she said.

"Don't sit back and think everybody cares about you and your children," Howerton said.

Many speakers encouraged Durham to engage in the voting process, at the local, state and federal level.