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Durham firefighters call for fencing after repeated vehicle break-ins; city says claims paid by private insurance historically
Summary
Durham firefighters told council they have experienced break-ins at a third of stations over the past year and asked the city for station fencing or mobile deterrents and to cover repair costs; city staff said the city's risk‑management policy has typically required employees to seek private insurance but agreed to evaluate options.
A Local 668 representative told Durham City Council that members have suffered repeated personal-vehicle break‑ins at city fire stations and asked the city to take stronger protective measures and to reimburse repairs when vehicles are damaged while parked on city property.
"We've had our personal vehicles broken into at stations 1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 12, and 16," Meredith Carter said during the public‑comment period on March 20. "We are once again asking the city to provide secure fencing at every station...and step up and pay for repairs that occur to members' personal vehicles while they are parked on city property and on duty."
Carter told the council that window repairs cost between $250 and $350 and that members are repeatedly forced to cover those expenses out of pocket.
City Manager and staff described the city's risk‑management record: historically, the city has not paid claims for theft or damage to employees' personal property on city premises and employees have relied on private insurance. The manager said the city has taken non-insurance steps at some stations — increased patrols, periodic rounds and cameras — but acknowledged the pattern was concerning.
"We have not traditionally paid those claims in the past. That has been our policy going forward," the city manager said, adding staff would evaluate whether a different approach is warranted given the sustained pattern.
Council members noted the repeated incidents and asked staff to discuss the issue further with relevant departments (risk management, public safety, facilities) and report back on options including secure fencing, mobile deterrents used by shopping centers, improved lighting or a city repair policy for employees when damage occurs on duty.
Provenance: Meredith Carter's public comment appears in transcript SEG 356–415; city manager and council exchanges recorded SEG 616–659.
