Durham mayor questions tone and perception after WRAL Investigates report on rising crime

Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams said he was “aware and disappointed” after a WRAL Investigates story showed the number of crimes committed in western Wake County by people with Durham addresses is increasing.

From 2019 to September 2024, arrest data from the Wake County Sheriff's Office and police from Raleigh, Apex, Cary, Holly Springs and Morrisville recorded a 35% increase in charges against people from Durham.

In comparison, all fees across the county increased by 15% over the same period.

Williams sat down with WRAL Investigates after Monday's story aired.

“I know there are numbers we can look at, but I think this story is bigger than the numbers,” Williams said. “I think the title (of the online story) was very controversial.

“I think the title shows that Durham is a problem when no one else is.”

Looking closer, Cary and Morrisville have seen the greatest impact of crimes committed by people from Durham – since 2019, Cary has seen a 150% increase and Morrisville has seen a 65% increase.

Although he didn't question the facts of the story, Williams was more concerned with the tone.

“So perception is very important… and… I don't think this is the time to sensationalize, and I felt like the story did just that,” Williams said.

When it comes to crime, Williams says there's a bigger picture that he believes should be brought into greater focus.

“You can always choose the angle you want,” Williams said. “And I felt like this was a very carefully chosen approach, but one that completely ignored the bigger picture. And the most important question is: 'Why is this happening?'”

When asked if the numbers were a reflection of Durham as a whole, Williams said no.

“It reflects a little bit about that person, and that’s what we have,” Williams said. “We need to focus on what really matters, because where that person came from matters less than what that person did, and that is the question: 'Why did it happen?'”

For his part, Williams said his focus is investing in the community's youth to create positive change, not just for his city, but for the entire Triangle.

“We can't control whether a person living in Durham, Raleigh or wherever decides to commit a crime, but crime does happen and I'm not going to pretend that that's not a reality anywhere in this country “Just Durham, but everywhere,” Williams said.

Williams also posted on the social media platform It's up to us to tell Durham's story and we won't allow it to be misrepresented. Implicit bias too often divides communities, but we won’t let that happen in the Bull City.”

WRAL Investigates also contacted Durham police about the findings before airing the story on Monday.

In an email response, the department wrote, “The Durham Police Department consistently collaborates with neighboring law enforcement agencies in conducting criminal investigations and sharing criminal information.”

After Monday's story aired, Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews emailed WRAL Investigates and wrote, “As a proud Durham resident and police chief, I am appalled by the investigative article that aired.” [Monday] Night… Your reporting has left a negative impact in an already divisive time.”

WRAL Investigates asked Andrews for an interview to discuss her concerns about the story. She didn't answer.

Three Durham men are facing charges following an Oct. 26 shooting in the parking lot of a crowded Crabtree Valley shopping center in Raleigh

Two Durham men are charged in connection with a series of burglaries at homes in Cary.

Over the summer, Phillip Brewer, a Durham man, is accused of leading police on a chase in Wake County after he attempted to rob a Walmart in Wake Forest.