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Durham City Council accepts first-quarter 2025 crime report; council discusses using ShotSpotter data to target canvassing
Summary
Council received and adopted the first-quarter 2025 crime report; police chief said concentrations of shootings align with ShotSpotter data and councilors discussed targeted canvassing and non-police responses in high-incident blocks.
The Durham City Council on June 2, 2025, received and unanimously adopted the first-quarter 2025 crime report (agenda item 24). Police staff presented maps showing concentrations of shootings; the police chief said the concentrations tracked with ShotSpotter data in the same areas.
Chief Beatrice Andrews (referred to in the meeting as the police chief) told the council that the maps show where shooting concentrations are highest and that those concentrations correspond with ShotSpotter-detected locations. Council members discussed proposals to couple that data with canvassing or non-enforcement interventions in targeted blocks, citing earlier budget discussions about funding for outreach and community responses.
Several councilors noted that other cities use ShotSpotter or similar technology to identify hot spots and then send non-police response teams or community canvassers to offer resources and check on residents; some council members said the city has used similar outreach in the past and could expand it. One councilor asked staff to pursue funding and partnerships to support focused canvassing in high-incident areas.
Council adopted the report by unanimous vote. Councilors said they will continue to review the data as part of budget and public-safety planning.
