News Flash

Practice Safety All The Way

Durham Police Department Holiday Safety Campaigns and Charitable Outreach 

DURHAM, N.C. – The Durham Police Department (DPD) wants residents to practice safety all the way - at home, at work, on the road, while shopping and in every setting during the holiday season. DPD officers and non-sworn employees alike are promoting safety strategies to minimize victimization, and are even pooling personal resources to help brighten the season for Durham residents.

“As the Durham Police Department is working diligently to solve recent violent and gun crimes, it is also important for us to remind our residents and visitors to implement preventive strategies to help reduce opportunities for crime to occur in the course of their holiday activities,” said Chief C.J. Davis. “While DPD remains committed to our mission to protect and serve, safety is a shared responsibility of the entire community – every day and every season.”

DPD Safety and Crime Prevention Initiatives

Holiday Community Pop-Ups, coordinated by the Community Services Division, are underway in Durham retail centers and strategic residential areas. Officers of the Community Resource and Community Engagement Units are canvassing the locations to be visible and to provide safety strategies to shoppers, businesses and residents.

The Criminal Investigations Division is circulating safety bulletins concerning mobile-driven local marketplaces like OfferUp, Letgo, Craigslist, etc.; issuing announcements concerning financial scams; and assisting patrol units with hotspots by conducting directed patrols, foot patrols, etc.

This week the Traffic and Crash Team (TACT) will lead a multi-agency Booze It and Lose It checkpoint operation. The location was strategically selected based on crash volume and previous impaired driving arrests statistics.

DPD Public Affairs is launching public service announcements to heighten awareness of risk of theft(s) resulting from deliveries left on porches and gift packaging placed on the curb for trash collection. A third campaign focuses on internet buy/sell safety tips.

The department is encouraging use of its E-Commerce Internet Sales Exchange Zones located currently at two substations – District 1 (921 Holloway Street) and District 4 (2945 S. Miami Boulevard). Exchanges are not facilitated by an officer, but the zone is under 24–hour video recording. For the months of December and January ONLY, exchanges can be made in the lobby of police headquarters (602 E. Main Street). Exchanges of firearms and illegal items are strictly prohibited.

Employee Outreach Deeds

Several DPD units have implemented charitable campaigns to help meet human service and other needs in the Durham community.

• Police Athletic League officers, in partnership with participating Durham schools, are holding a food drive to support Durham families served by Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club. Collection ends December 11.
• Forensic Services employees are supporting Toys for Tots with employee bake sales to support the purchase of toys. Collection ends December 13.
• Spearheaded by the LGBTQ Liaison Officer, the Crisis Intervention Team unit is partnering with three Durham Starbucks establishments for Santa for Seniors outreach. Participants are selecting a gift tag from trees at Durham Starbucks located at 3801 Guess Road; Streets of Southpoint Mall; and Renaissance Center (6813 Fayetteville Road). Unwrapped gifts should be returned to participating Starbucks by December 15.
• The Bio-Chemical Emergency Response Team is collecting supplies most used by the Animal Protection Society (APS) of Durham for the unit’s Creature Comforts Holiday Campaign. Collection ends December 17.
• The Special Victims Unit is leading a Coat, Hats and Scarves for Kids campaign to support the mission of the Durham Crisis Response Center. Collection ends December 19.
• Undies for All is being coordinated by the Professional Standards Division to provide patrons of Urban Ministries of Durham with undergarments to adults and children of all ages and sizes. Collection ends December 20.
• The Major Crimes Division aims to stock up DPD’s Little Library for the start of the New Year. Books should be age and subject matter appropriate. There is a need for soft sensory books; young children’s books; books in Spanish or bi-lingual; educational books for children and adults; African American and Latinx subject matters; and special themed books (e.g., bullying, autism, self-esteem). Book donations are encouraged and accepted throughout the year.