2010 Crime Comparative

It's official.  Durham's crime rate in 2010 was...average.

Here is some FBI data that shows Durham in relationship to its benchmark (peer) cities in the Southeast and in the U.S.  It's part of the 2010 Crime Comparative.

This report is not meant as an apology or an excuse.  It in no way suggests that Durham lessen the intensity of its law enforcement efforts.  In fact, there have been many community conversations recently that indicate we should consider increasing our efforts. 

This is simply a tool that is helpful for residents and non residents working in Durham-based businesses and organizations, who are often asked by newcomers and visitors, “Is Durham safe?”  Safety is a relative term that means something different to each individual, but this report gives the actual data that shows Durham’s crime is, well, average.

Over the past 10 years, Durham's crime rate has decreased by anywhere between 24 and 30%. The Durham Police Department has--and will continue to--work diligently with the community on a variety of programs to help drive the rate even lower.  

The Crime Comparative is compiled by DCVB on behalf of the Durham Public Information and Communications Council, a group of 18 organizations working together to facilitate news coverage that is balanced and accurate and to eliminate communication that is confusing or misleading.  The data is provided by the FBI through its Uniform Crime Report.  

Annual Crime Comparative Released

As the community's official marketing agency, DCVB is charged with leading the marketing and promotion of Durham as a destination, as well as promoting and defending the community's image and brand.

DCVB co-developed this crime comparative tool with the Durham Police Department many years ago to provide the 19-organization Durham Public Information & Communications Council, as well as other civic, business, university, and neighborhood leaders, better information to assist newcomers and visitors.

The data is not intended as an apology or an excuse, nor does it suggest lessening the intensity law enforcement use to drive the crime rate even lower. The report is intended to put crime reduction efforts in perspective by showing comparisons to 10 other similar Southeast counterparts and 27 other cities nationwide.

The results? Durham's crime is at or below average within a cohort of 10 Southeast and 27 national communities of similar size and makeup. Raleigh is the only city in the cohort that is not of similar size and makeup (it is almost twice the size of some cities in the cohort) but is used because of its close proximity to Durham.

In surveys 65.5% of Durham residents feel safe in the community overall, and more than 85% feel safe in their neighborhood. Durham officials, activists, and residents are very diligent in an effort to further reduce crime in areas where it is a problem. Collective effort has lowered Durham's index crime rate by about 30% over the past 10 years.