Durham residents debate police software contract over data privacy concerns

City Council to vote on $517,000 contract with Peregrine Technologies for 'Real Time Crime Center'

Jan. 29, 2026 at 12:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A heated debate erupted at a Durham City Council work session over a proposed $517,000 contract between the Durham Police Department and Peregrine Technologies, a law enforcement data management platform. The contract would support the creation of a 'Real Time Crime Center' operated with Peregrine's software, which would aggregate all digital police data into one platform for analysis. While some residents urged the Council to reject the contract over concerns about surveillance, AI, and data privacy, the police department and Mayor Williams expressed support, arguing the technology would help reduce crime and protect the city's Black community.

Why it matters

The debate highlights growing tensions between law enforcement's use of data-driven technologies and community concerns over privacy, bias, and the potential for misuse. As more police departments adopt predictive policing tools, residents are pushing back, fearing these systems could reinforce discriminatory practices and undermine civil liberties.

The details

The Peregrine software would allow the Durham Police Department to integrate all its digital data into one platform for faster analysis and investigations. While the department and Peregrine say the 'Real Time Crime Center' would help reduce crime, some residents expressed fears about 'predictive policing' and the company's ties to Palantir Technologies, which has worked with ICE. The council is set to vote on the contract on Feb. 2, with some members indicating they plan to reject it over privacy concerns.

  • The City Council work session where the contract was debated took place on January 22, 2026.
  • The City Council is scheduled to vote on the contract at its February 2, 2026 meeting.

The players

Durham Police Department

The local law enforcement agency seeking to implement the Peregrine Technologies software platform.

Peregrine Technologies

A law enforcement data management platform that would provide the software for Durham's 'Real Time Crime Center'.

Nate Baker

A Durham City Council member who plans to reject the Peregrine contract.

Chelsea Cook

A Durham City Council member who plans to reject the Peregrine contract.

Leonardo Williams

The Mayor of Durham, who expressed support for the Peregrine contract.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Errors are being made by algorithms resulting in violence done by humans with no accountability to those harmed.”

— Jen Wickman, Durham resident

“We can't enjoy life. If they need a million dollars for cameras, give it to them. I'm tired of Black men being murdered in this community.”

— Victoria Peterson, Durham resident

“The moment we want to use technology to help us better protect the communities that are dealing with this [violence] the most, which is mainly the Black community, all of a sudden people have an issue with it. It just baffles me that the majority of those people do not live in actual pain and terror every day.”

— Leonardo Williams, Mayor of Durham

What’s next

The Durham City Council is scheduled to vote on the Peregrine Technologies contract at its February 2, 2026 meeting.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement's use of data-driven technologies and community concerns over privacy, bias, and the potential for misuse. As more police departments adopt predictive policing tools, residents are pushing back, fearing these systems could reinforce discriminatory practices and undermine civil liberties.