Risk of Crime in Durham

The intelligence you need to prevent & prepare for threats

Crime in Durhan North Carolina

Get Street-Level Insights

Durham, North Carolina has experienced a dynamic shift in its security and crime situation over the years. Known as Bull City, it's a hub of education, healthcare, and tech industries, largely due to its proximity to Duke University and the Research Triangle Park. Historically, Durham wove an intricate story of industries, from tobacco to textiles, now transitioning to high-tech realms. Unfortunately, in recent times, the city has had to tackle issues relating to crime. The crime in Durham has seen fluctuations, with efforts to improve community policing and targeted initiatives aimed at reducing violence. The city has also been home to peaceful protests as well as heated demonstrations particularly related to issues of racial justice and police reform, reflecting its citizens' strong involvement in social issues.

Durham's contemporary history also saw the transformation of its downtown area into a vibrant district filled with local businesses and culture, although the story of crime in Durham within some neighborhoods illustrates ongoing challenges. The city's police department publishes annual reports providing insights into crime trends and implements several community outreach programs to enhance public trust and safety. Durham's nickname, "Bull City," originates from the Bull Durham Tobacco Factory, and the city is famous for its blend of rich history, academic excellence, and a thriving food scene.

Local Security Tips

  1. Duke University Campus: Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Use campus escort services if available.
  2. American Tobacco Historic District: Visit during busy hours and remain vigilant with personal belongings.
  3. Durham Bulls Athletic Park: During game nights, stick to well-lit areas and park in designated spaces.
  4. Eno River State Park: Explore in groups and stick to marked trails. Be mindful of park closing times.

Local Regulations

Firearm Policy

Durham follows North Carolina's state laws regarding firearms. Open carry is legal without a permit, though it can be restricted in certain areas. A concealed carry permit is required for carrying a concealed weapon, and there are specific provisions for purchasing and owning firearms which include background checks and purchase permits.

Public Drinking Policy

Public drinking is generally prohibited in Durham. It's illegal to consume alcohol on streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and other public places. However, some designated areas like the entertainment districts may have different rules during special events.

Emergency Contact Lists

Department for Non-Emergency Services

  • Durham Police Department non-emergency number: (919) 560-4600
  • Durham County Sheriff's Office non-emergency number: (919) 560-0900

Leading Hospitals

  • Duke University Hospital (Duke Health): 2301 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27710, Phone: (919) 684-8111
  • Durham VA Health Care System: 508 Fulton St, Durham, NC 27705, Phone: (919) 286-0411
  • Duke Regional Hospital: 3643 N Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27704, Phone: (919) 470-4000
Schedule Demo
Crime in Durhan North Carolina

Make Data Driven Security Recommendations

Crime in Durhan North Carolina

Know the neighborhood

Boundary maps make it easy to see the varying risk profile of communities within a city.

Crime in Durhan North Carolina

Identify hotspots

Heat maps demonstrate specific areas where relevant activities are known to be concentrated.

Crime in Durhan North Carolina

Delve into the details

Drill down to the latitude longitude of individual events for maximum context informing security recommendations.

See More

Trusted by proactive security leaders

Street level intelligence for EP teams is an absolute game-changer. If you're not aware of what this is, the implications, and how this benefits large full scope enterprise teams as well as individual operators, you're behind the curve. I highly recommend folks in the EP space check out Base Operations. Over the last 5+ years, the level of data collected, ingested and analyzed is nothing short of extremely impressive.

Patrick M
360 Privacy
Vice President

Base Operations informs our strategic and routine security planning across the world. The unmatched granularity of micro-intelligence supports our supply chain security planning and dramatically improves our travel security guidance.

Richard Pace
Director of Personnel Security and Organizational Resilience

Quickly became our key risk evaluation tool for event, travel, and office security. New use cases developed weekly from real estate to leadership insights. Great platform!

Richard Chambers
Director Physical Security & Compliance

In the past 5 days I haven’t closed Base Operations. I give It a 10 out of 10.

Dean Geribo
Moderna
Head of Corporate Security