Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Durham residents and commissioners spar over $16 million sheriff training facility; board seeks more data and HEART expansion options
Summary
At a Jan. 6 Durham County work session, dozens of residents opposed a proposed $16 million Sheriff’s Training Facility and urged expansion of the HEART program; staff described a 10,000-square-foot center with ranges and evidence storage, and the Board directed staff to return with data on 911 call types, staffing and HEART expansion options in March–April 2025.
At a Jan. 6 Durham County Board of Commissioners work session, staff presented plans for a proposed $16 million Durham County Sheriff’s Training Facility and dozens of residents urged the board to halt the project and redirect funds to community-based services such as the HEART program, schools and affordable housing.
Peri Manns, deputy director of Engineering and Environmental Services, told the board the proposal would consolidate classroom and range training on a site the Sheriff’s Office has used for nearly 40 years, and would add a new 10,000‑square‑foot building, a renovated firearms qualifications and tactical range (including a 500‑yard rifle range), secure vehicle impound storage and perimeter fencing. David Labarre, Director of Planning and Development with the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, said the facility would allow the county to hold Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) on site and avoid leasing off‑site classrooms.
Several residents who addressed the board, and a larger group who submitted written…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat