Pinging with Tuesday Morning's crop of stories...
Judge orders publicity restraints in lacrosse case
http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-753443.html
Corrigan withdraws from Duke search
http://www.heraldsun.com/sports/duke/39-753483.html
Watch your words, lacrosse case lawyers told
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/461685.html
Durham police chief search set
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/461673.html
Coach pulls out of Duke search
http://www.newsobserver.com/736/story/461594.html
It appears H-S editor Bob Ashley is allowing more spin from Bell and Baker. Why is he afraid to question the obvious?
What has the Duke Lacrosse investigation cost Durham in terms of dollars and resources?
No mention of the truce negotiation breakdown between rival gangs due to the DPD focus on the Duke LAX investigation?
Why would Baker consent to Chalmer's absence without leave?
Why don't Durham officials want to work with federal ICE agents?
With 10,200 outstanding warrants, how understated are Durhams crime statistics?
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/461673.html
Durham police chief search set
Published: Jul 18, 2006 12:30 AM
Modified: Jul 18, 2006 03:06 AM
EXCERPTS
But the changes have thus far failed to curb violent crime, with Durham leading North Carolina's 10 largest cities in per capita homicides in both 2004 and 2005. Murders are down through the first half of this year, though incidents of other violent crimes are still climbing.
Bell said Durham needs to do a better job of combating gangs and drugs, which should be the top priority of any new chief. However, Chalmers should not be blamed for the city's failure to blunt violence, Bell said.
"The issue of reducing crime is not up to the police alone," Bell said Monday. "It takes a communitywide effort."
(snip)
Chief's decision
Baker said Chalmers, who did not take sick leave or vacation time during the weeks he was largely out of the office, was kept apprised of the investigation by cell phone and e-mail. The manager said such high-ranking administrators have the discretion to determine when the city would be better served by taking leave and designating a subordinate to be in charge. Baker said the decision to stay in command during the family crisis was the chief's, though he approved of Chalmers' handling of the situation.
"It was done with my full knowledge and consent," Baker said.
(snip)
//
http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-753492.html
Bell, Stith at odds over rate of crime
By BriAnne Dopart : The Herald-Sun
Jul 17, 2006 : 11:02 pm ET
EXCERPTS
To Bell, the figures showed that Durham gets a bad rap in the media and that good things are happening here. But (City Councilman Thomas) Stith questioned the comparisons and noted that violent crime was on the upswing.
(snip)
Durham also needs to take a cue from Raleigh, Stith said, and seek help from federal agencies.
"Raleigh has worked very closely with ICE," he said, referring to the Department of Homeland Security's Immigrations and Customs Enforcement division, which launched a program combating violent street gangs last year.
"We're not doing that," Stith said.
Bell dismissed the idea of bringing ICE agents to Durham, saying the city is seeing good progress with Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal program dedicated to reducing gun violence.
(snip)
Meanwhile, City Councilman Eugene Brown said he has more faith in Bell, but feels the Police Department needs to get its priorities -- or at least its warrants -- in order.
Brown said he's concerned about the number of warrants -- 10,200 at last count, police spokeswoman Kammie Michael said -- and the amount of attention devoted to them. The backlog was highlighted in a recent Herald-Sun story.
(snip)