I've recently been working with a self-appointed task force from ATC (led by Michael Goodmon of Capitol Broadcasting and owner of ATC) that has been charged with trying to reduce the amount of aggressive panhandling and criminal behavior among the unhoused in Downtown Durham. There have been assaults, vandalism, threats, sexual misconduct, destruction of property, you name it. Servers and bartenders afraid to go to their cars from their place of work. So much so that City Council and the Durham Police and the DA have all assembled to talk about it. Hoteliers are saying that people won't book because they feel unsafe here. When it gets down to it, it's agreed that it is mainly 20 or so "frequent flyers" that are the primary cause of the issue, who are habitually arrested and then released on unsecured bail, who often are in and out of the EDs.
Prior to the meeting, this was my email to the group trying to gather my thoughts on the issue:
Friends,
It was the fall of 2009, and I was headed off of the BQE and onto the Jersey turnpike trying to make Philly by nightfall. It was raining and I was in a heated conversation with my best friend. Too late, I realized I took the North exit instead of South. Classic mistake. The helpful lady at the next North exit toll booth, upon hearing my plight, said, "Do you want to pay more?", which I didn't understand. She then screamed at me, "DO YOU WANT TO PAY MORE?" I got the gist of it then, paid the toll and got on the turnpike headed South.
So many times at the bakery, I've tried to take a shortcut, to squeeze a little more life out of a machine, or a delivery van, or a cooler, and ended up paying more.
Why would it be any different when we're talking about the unhoused humans of Durham?
That it has taken a confluence of factors to get us into this bind implies that it will take a host of solutions to get us out. We can't just "lock 'em up", nor do I want to. Involuntary hospitalization or commitments (รก la Eric Adams) should be our last resort.
If the city is looking down the barrel of $XX million in potential lost revenue per year and the closing of some of its tastiest restaurants, why wouldn't they pay the $2-3 million to get the frequent fliers into paid permanent supportive housing with caseworkers? This seems like a great ROI, and the right thing to do.
Listening to our esteemed colleagues, Russ, Sheldon, and Colin, I feel confident that real dollars, with the support of the business community and the police, can create methods of deterrence and diversion that will significantly lessen the perception that Downtown is unsafe.
The other thing to remember is that we are still only a couple years out of lockdown. All those habits of being comfy/cozy in one's home are still there for many of our customers. They're still going out, but they go out less. There is more entertainment, and more perceived safety in the home. Everything can be delivered. People are anxious or awkward about socializing. And inflation has made things more expensive and cut into guests' discretionary income, making them feel frugal even when they have the accumulated savings to afford a splurge or a dinner out.
I really appreciate Michael and his convening of these folks to talk openly and honestly about doing business downtown. Just like it only took a couple million to get DDI off the ground and kickstart Downtown revival, if we are willing to be level-headed about it, paying the right amount to resolve this safety issue will be seen as pragmatic and humanist in the long run. Demonizing city officials or the poor or the mentally ill less so.
The personality of a city is like topsoil - an inch takes 200 years to accumulate, but could be wiped out in one year of bad agricultural practices. Likewise, all the work of revitalizing Durham could evaporate quickly if we do not act. To love on Durham right now means swallowing some of the fear and panic of losing revenue, and even one's business, and making concerted, pragmatic choices as a group. I hope we can all support each other in this, and draw strength from one another to imagine a better future. I am open to creative solutions, because it will be our creativity, openness, and work ethic, and not our fear, that will see us through.
Best,
Ari Berenbaum
Owner
Ninth Street Bakery
