City of Durham NIS Community Engagement

Car Theft
On a cold winter morning it might seem like a good idea to start your car and let it warm up while you finish getting ready for work or school, but Durham police are warning people to be extra careful if they do this. Unattended cars warming in driveways and parking lots are easy targets for car thieves. Every winter, Durham officers take several reports from people whose vehicles were stolen in this manner.

After working through the idea collection, brainstorming and project development phases, Participatory Budgeting, PB Durham, will now evaluate ideas to determine their feasibility over the coming months.

City Council committed $2.4 million for projects suggested by the community. A steering committee appointed by council created the rules in partnership with the Budget and Management Services Department to ensure the process is inclusive and meets local needs.

Ideas were submitted through public meetings, online tools, and resident discussions. Through April, staff and volunteers, called budget delegates, will evaluate the ideas to determine feasibility, need, and impact.

Building Futures is celebrating the success of its pilot program as three students graduated from the program on Friday, December 14, 2018. Through the coordination of services and resources by the Transformation in Ten (T²) Initiative, the program provided paid training and certification in the construction field to three residents of the 10.01 Census Tract.

Program Hopes to Provide 300 Jobs for Durham Youth This Summer;

Seeking Employers to Offer Internship Opportunities

DURHAM, N.C. - Durham employers interested in staffing for projects and tasks this summer while also developing skilled future talent should now consider hosting youth interns through the 2019 Durham YouthWork Internship Program.

The program is administered by the City of Durham’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development and is a partnership with Durham County Government, Durham Public Schools (DPS), Durham Technical Community College, and Made in Durham.

This program, now in its 16^th year, has a goal to grow from serving approximately 200 youth each summer to serving more than 1,000 youth within the next three years. In 2019, the goal is to offer more than 300 paid youth summer internship opportunities, and local employers are needed to make this a reality.

Residents Invited to Join Project Team at Three Upcoming Workshops to Share Feedback

DURHAM, N.C. – If you live or travel in and around downtown and the central area of the Bull City, the City of Durham Transportation Department wants to hear from you.

The department is hosting three community workshops for the Move Durham Transportation Study, which will develop a clear vision for the future of transportation and mobility in the central area of Durham. Residents are invited to attend any of the following workshops:

• Tuesday, January 22, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville St.
• Friday, January 25, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Durham County Human Services Building, 414 E. Main St.
• Saturday, January 26, 10 a.m. – noon, Durham Station Transportation Center, 515 W. Pettigrew St.

Don’t Advertise Your Gifts to Thieves

Police and Partners Offer ‘No Perched Packages’ Campaign for Second Year

 No Perched Packages PSA Video:   https://youtu.be/pvv2NtIJfxg

DURHAM, N.C. – When electronics boxes and other gift packaging are placed curbside for disposal on collection day, passer-byers are inadvertently informed of valuables in your home. Television, computer and gaming system boxes generally attract the most interest. So here’s a tip from the Durham Police Department:  “Don’t publicize the gifts you receive for the delight and enjoyment of wishful thieves.  Instead of putting boxes curbside this holiday, use a designated recycling site to throw boxes away!”

Free Event Open to All Durham Residents

DURHAM, N.C. – Durham residents looking for an easy and free way to recycle electronic waste (e-waste), shred confidential documents, and drop-off of their live Christmas trees should attend the City of Durham’s E-Waste Recycling, Paper Shredding & Tree Disposal event next month.

The City’s Solid Waste Management Department is hosting this free event on Saturday, January 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Durham County Memorial Stadium on the home side parking lot, located at 750 Stadium Dr. Staff will be on hand to assist with unloading old electronics, paper, and live Christmas trees.

If your holiday or vacation plans include being away from your home, the following safety precautions to keep your property safe is highly recommended:

• Consider installing a home security system. 
• Set interior and exterior lights to remain overnight with a timer or security service. 
• Temporarily stop newspaper deliver and mail service. 
• Ask a neighbor to monitor your home.

If you live in the jurisdiction of the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, request a home check while you’re away.  Call (919) 560-0900 to schedule a home check and a deputy with Patrol Unit will be assigned to visit your property.