Residents urge Durham County to remove DSS director, demand forensic audit
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Summary
Multiple public commenters told the Durham Board of County Commissioners they have 'no confidence' in the Department of Social Services director and demanded removal and a forensic audit, citing alleged unbudgeted bonuses, visitation denials and possible improper investigative contracts.
Several Durham residents used the board's public comment period to press elected officials for action on long‑running complaints about the county's child‑welfare system.
Antoinette Hawes told commissioners, “We need a forensic audit on the Department of Social Services” and said the community has “no confidence” in the director, citing spending items she marked on an expenditure page and describing unbudgeted bonuses.
Other speakers described personal harms. Walida Burns said her child was removed on May 28, 2024, and that she has been supervised for more than a year with limited visits despite a court order; she asked the board to “actually look into this issue and not just take the department's word.” Victoria Peterson, who said she spent years in foster care, told the board she had “lost confidence” and urged the director to resign. Rafiq Zaidi alleged a former Durham police corporal working in investigations continued to enter homes while facing criminal charges and said community members plan to file charges against the Durham Police Department and DSS.
Commissioners did not take action during the work session. Chair Lee closed the public‑comment block after the speakers concluded and moved to the next agenda items. The comments underscored community demands for more transparency, stricter vetting of investigators and independent review of DSS finances and practices.
What happens next: Commissioners asked staff for follow‑up and data in later segments of the meeting; any formal investigatory steps or personnel actions were not recorded in the transcript from this session.
