what matters most to us
The Friends of Durham recognizes that there are numerous local issues that are important in creating a city that is responsive to the needs of all its residents. However, we also recognize that by focusing our efforts on key issues, we are more likely to bring forth meaningful change.
Our four key issues are crime, education, governance, and a strong economy.
Our four key issues are crime, education, governance, and a strong economy.
CRIME
Our belief is that crime anywhere in Durham hurts all of Durham.
For 2018, the Durham Police Department reported that violent crime dropped to a four-year low. But it's important to note that homicides rose 52%, and car thefts were at a 10-year high. These statistics are simply unacceptable. Crime prevention must be a priority, even with the limited resources and the competing priorities that challenge our city. A two prong approach to crime is necessary to make an impact on these numbers and make our city safe for all residents. We must address both the root causes of crime and the systems that are in place for incarceration and rehabilitation.
Our belief is that crime anywhere in Durham hurts all of Durham.
For 2018, the Durham Police Department reported that violent crime dropped to a four-year low. But it's important to note that homicides rose 52%, and car thefts were at a 10-year high. These statistics are simply unacceptable. Crime prevention must be a priority, even with the limited resources and the competing priorities that challenge our city. A two prong approach to crime is necessary to make an impact on these numbers and make our city safe for all residents. We must address both the root causes of crime and the systems that are in place for incarceration and rehabilitation.
EDUCATION
Our public schools face many challenges.
With student enrollment in the 2017-2018 school year at 32,947 students, our 50-school Durham Public School district had only 8 schools which received an A or B for school performance. In other words, most of our students are attending the remaining 42 schools, which received a C, D, or F for school performance.
In addition, over 3,000 students were suspended (9.1%), and there were over 6,000 total suspensions.
The Friends of Durham finds these statistics and other DPS statistics unacceptable.
We believe that in order for our youngest residents to have an opportunity to achieve and be successful adults, our educational system has to be willing to implement transformative processes that actually result in lower suspensions, higher testing results, and higher graduation rates.
We need our schools to stop failing our students.
Our public schools face many challenges.
With student enrollment in the 2017-2018 school year at 32,947 students, our 50-school Durham Public School district had only 8 schools which received an A or B for school performance. In other words, most of our students are attending the remaining 42 schools, which received a C, D, or F for school performance.
In addition, over 3,000 students were suspended (9.1%), and there were over 6,000 total suspensions.
The Friends of Durham finds these statistics and other DPS statistics unacceptable.
We believe that in order for our youngest residents to have an opportunity to achieve and be successful adults, our educational system has to be willing to implement transformative processes that actually result in lower suspensions, higher testing results, and higher graduation rates.
We need our schools to stop failing our students.
GOVERNANCE
The Friends of Durham has a long history of interviewing and endorsing candidates running for local offices. We look for candidates 1) who are knowledgeable about the challenges facing the community, 2) who understand the functions of local government, and 3) who are committed to the public service that is so vital in helping the city operate in an efficient and effective manner. Our resources are limited, and we support tax policies that contribute to the health and growth of our city in a manner that positively impacts all Durham residents.
The Friends of Durham has a long history of interviewing and endorsing candidates running for local offices. We look for candidates 1) who are knowledgeable about the challenges facing the community, 2) who understand the functions of local government, and 3) who are committed to the public service that is so vital in helping the city operate in an efficient and effective manner. Our resources are limited, and we support tax policies that contribute to the health and growth of our city in a manner that positively impacts all Durham residents.
STRONG ECONOMY
The welfare of our residents is often tied to their individual economic wealth and stability. Although Durham's growth has brought tremendous career opportunities to some, those opportunities have not always benefitted all of our current residents. We must embrace every possible opportunity to align the employment needs of the employer with the education and job training opportunities being provided in our community to our residents.
The welfare of our residents is often tied to their individual economic wealth and stability. Although Durham's growth has brought tremendous career opportunities to some, those opportunities have not always benefitted all of our current residents. We must embrace every possible opportunity to align the employment needs of the employer with the education and job training opportunities being provided in our community to our residents.