Durham County Officials Ends Anti-Violence Program Bull City United

DURHAM, NC — Durham County officials officially discontinued the anti-violence program Bull City United (BCU) on Friday, November 1, affecting 20 full-time and contracted employees. The Community Intervention and Support Services (CISS) department announced the program’s closure, citing a need to align with the community’s evolving needs.

Since its founding in 2016, Bull City United has received millions in taxpayer funding to address gun violence in Durham. Initially launched with seven staff members to target high-risk areas, BCU expanded in 2021 to 25 members across six county neighborhoods. The program focused on community-led violence prevention by hiring individuals with past criminal records to help de-escalate conflicts and prevent retaliatory violence.

Durham Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton expressed disappointment over the decision but emphasized that the move should not negatively affect the program’s model. Middleton suggested that a better vetting process could improve future initiatives. “I’m hoping that maybe in the future we can take a look and maybe do better vetting in terms of hiring,” he said.

Mayor Leonardo Williams also commented, noting that BCU’s effectiveness was limited by operating independently. He expressed hope that lessons learned could shape future anti-violence efforts in Durham.

BCU was scrutinized following several criminal charges involving employees, including a 2022 incident where a staff member was charged as an accessory in the murder of a 19-year-old. Assistant County Manager Joanne Pierce said the county will support impacted employees as they transition into new roles.