Pubdate: Sun, 07 Dec 2003
Source: News & Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2003 The News and Observer Publishing Company
Contact:  http://www.news-observer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/304
Author: Michael Easterbrook
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?217 (Drug-Free Zones)

HOUSING AUTHORITY TAKES CONTROL OF DURHAM PARK

Shift Is Intended To Make Area Safer

Burton Park in Durham has been a sanctuary for drug dealers and users for 
years. Their days may now be numbered. During a ceremony Saturday at the 
park, Mayor Bill Bell passed control of the small swath of land to the 
Durham Housing Authority in an effort to crack down on criminal activity 
and make the park safe for kids.

"Hopefully by the time summer arrives, we'll see a park full of children," 
said James Anderson, a housing manager, before he and others accepted a 
symbolic key to the park from the mayor.

The housing authority, which runs the McDougald Terrace public housing 
complex across from the park, has been pushing for the transfer for months. 
Nearly 1,000 people live in the complex.

In September, the Durham City Council agreed -- voting to lease the park to 
the housing authority for one year with the possibility to extend.

The move allows the housing authority to ban unwanted people from the park 
and gives police power to arrest trespassers -- enforcement strategies that 
were illegal before the new arrangement.

"This is still a public park," Bell told a small crowd huddled underneath a 
white canopy at the park Saturday morning. "But if you're here for bad 
reasons, you're not welcome."

Residents of the housing development say the park has become more dangerous 
than ever for children.

It's often littered with hypodermic needles and liquor bottles and used by 
dealers to sell drugs. Underscoring the risks, late last month a man was 
killed and three others were injured in a shooting just outside the park.

"It hasn't been safe for our kids in years," said Barbara Lyons, 33, who 
lives in the housing complex with her 9-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son.

People banished from the park will be able to appeal by taking their case 
before a special committee created by the housing authority, Anderson said.

Some council members expressed concern that the park would no longer be 
open to the public, but Anderson said those willing to abide by the laws 
are still welcome.
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