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Public commenters urge forensic audit of DSS and press commissioners on family separation
Summary
Four public speakers criticized county responses to homelessness and child-welfare actions, called for a forensic audit of Department of Social Services, and alleged a county manager'authorized affidavit that led to an arrest — speakers demanded accountability and changes ahead of the DSS budget review.
During the public-comment period, four community members addressed the board on family-separation and social-services concerns. Doug Hodges described after-school successes for his SwingPals program. James Chavis alleged the county manager signed an affidavit that led to the arrest of a Durham resident without hearing both sides; he pressed commissioners to act and highlighted racial concerns in enforcement.
Antoinette Hawes criticized outreach and removal practices by the Department of Social Services and explicitly called for a "forensic audit on Durham County Department of Social Services," alleging that MOUs with clinicians were enabling inappropriate custody actions. Amanda Wallace, founder of Operation Stop CPS, cited board documents reporting 185 children in foster care as of March and said 83 of those children were placed outside Durham and that 156 were Black, urging commissioners to prioritize reunification and to address vacant positions and program investments that she said do not favor families.
Commissioners acknowledged the seriousness of the comments and noted the DSS budget and performance will be part of upcoming discussions; staff said the budget season provides opportunities for oversight and that the board could pursue follow-up steps if warranted.
