Durham Mayor Unveils Plan to Combat Violent Crime

Three-phase initiative aims to curb youth-related shootings through partnerships and community collaboration.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams announced a new three-phase public safety plan to address a recent surge in youth-related shootings in the city. The plan involves working with national experts, mapping community assets, and improving collaboration between the city, county, schools, law enforcement, and community organizations.

Why it matters

Durham has seen a concerning spike in gun violence, particularly among young people, despite an overall downward trend in crime in 2025. The mayor's plan seeks to take a comprehensive, community-driven approach to tackle this pressing issue and improve public safety.

The details

The mayor's plan includes three phases: 1) Shared learning and identifying strategies through public talks with national experts; 2) Planning and implementation through workshops to map community assets and reflect on previous efforts; and 3) Improving collaboration with a multi-day event featuring national experts to explore proven violence reduction strategies tailored to Durham. The city is also creating 'street safety teams' made up of faith leaders, community organizations, youth advocates, law enforcement, and neighborhood representatives.

  • On February 20, 2026, Mayor Williams announced the new public safety initiative.
  • The first virtual public session is scheduled for February 24, 2026.
  • Two in-person community events are planned for March 13 and March 20, 2026.

The players

Mayor Leonardo Williams

The mayor of Durham, North Carolina, who announced the new three-phase plan to combat violent crime in the city.

Violence Reduction Center at the University of Maryland

A national research center that the city of Durham is working with to address its violence issues, as they have proven results working with cities across the country.

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What they’re saying

“This is everyone. This is city, county, schools, everybody.”

— Mayor Leonardo Williams (WRAL)

“What matters is, are we going to move forward together as a community?”

— Mayor Leonardo Williams (WRAL)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This comprehensive, community-driven plan demonstrates Durham's commitment to addressing the complex issue of youth violence through collaboration and evidence-based strategies. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the city aims to develop tailored solutions that can make a meaningful impact on public safety.