Residents urge city to treat gun violence as public‑health crisis; council accepts quarterly crime report 7‑0

Residents and community advocates used the March 2 Durham City Council public‑comment period to press elected leaders for a new approach to gun violence, urging upstream investment in youth jobs, mental‑health services, mentorship and community‑led interruption programs.

"The solution is not more police; people need housing, child care and mental‑health supports," resident Amanda Walles told the council, criticizing what she described as a reliance on policing and calling for community‑driven implementation. Law student Inay Henderson urged the council to treat firearm violence "not only as crime but as a public‑health emergency" and to invest in prevention, safe spaces and trauma‑informed services.

Kevin McGiver, director of the County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, and other speakers described on‑the‑ground work with youth in neighborhoods such as Conwalles and urged council members to be present in the community. Ralid (affiliated with the Nation of Islam) and other residents named recent victims and called for greater attention to unresolved violent‑crime cases.

The council took formal action on the agenda when it moved to accept Item 12, the fourth‑quarter 2025 crime report. Clerk/Secretary called the vote and the motion was recorded as passing by voice vote, 7‑0. The motion accepted the report for the council’s record; no ordinance or new funding was adopted during the vote.

What’s next: Councilmembers and staff indicated budget deliberations will continue, and the public was reminded of a March 16 budget hearing where residents may present priorities and comments.