SoDu Morning Brief: Increased Fire Risk, Weekly Crime Update, Durham Tenants' Rights

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Today’s South Durham Weather Forecast (Oct. 22, 2025)

Heads up: Increased Fire Danger, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. today.
Dry air (relative humidity 25–30%) plus westerly winds 15–20 mph, gusts 20–25 mph (isolated gusts up to 30 mph) will make it easier for fires to start and spread. Avoid any outdoor burning and be extra careful with grills, yard equipment, and cigarettes.

Forecast (South Durham)

• Day (Wed): Sunny, seasonable. High near 71°F.
  Wind: W 5–13 mph, gusts up to 22 mph.
• Night (Wed Night): Clear, turning chilly. Low around 44°F.
  Wind: W 3–6 mph.

What it means for you

• Yard work: Postpone burning brush; keep water nearby if using power tools.
• Commute & recess: Pleasant sun but breezy, secure light decorations or trash/recycling lids around Southpoint, NC Highway 55, and Highway 54 areas.
• Evening plans: Big temperature drop after sunset; bring a layer for games, practices, or events.

Quick safety reminders

• Don’t burn leaves or brush Wednesday.
• Park on non-grassy surfaces; a hot exhaust can ignite dry grass.
• If you see smoke or fire, call 911 immediately and move upwind.

Landlords on Notice After Durham Council Passes Ordinance

Durham City Council on Monday passed a new tenants' rights ordinance that originated with students at Riverside High School and found a champion in Council Member Chelsea Cook.

The ordinance creates a clear list of "imminently dangerous" conditions, including:

• Rotted/fire- or insect-damaged steps, floors, or structural supports (risk of collapse).
• Active fire hazard in a chimney that’s in use.
• Unsafe or damaged wiring/electrical service (shock or fire risk).
• Unsafe ceiling or roof (compromised structural integrity).
• No safe, potable running water for drinking, cooking, sanitation.
• No operable heating during November–March (dangerously low indoor temps).
• Dangerous space-heating unit (unvented fuel heater, faulty install, lacks safety controls).
• No operable sanitary facilities.
• Severe pest infestation (rodents/insects/vermin).
• No safe, continuous, unobstructed exit to the exterior (egress blocked/too narrow/inoperable).

Landlords would be expected to repair these issues or face the threat of no rent from the occupant.

Although the council passed the ordinance unanimously, the discussion wasn't entirely without tension. Some members on the board aimed to add amendments and make changes to the text, which got opposition from Cook and DeDreana Freeman.

Check out video footage from the discussion, captured by SeeGov:

🛑 South Durham Crime Snapshot: Oct. 12–18, 2025

Overall: 50+ incidents reported, showing a sharp rise in burglaries, vehicle crimes, and assaults, with clusters once again centered around South Miami Boulevard, NC Highway 55, and Fayetteville Road.

🔴 Violent Crimes

• Individual Robberies (3): American Tobacco Trail (field/woods), Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. (restaurant), Emerald Forest Dr. (parking lot).
• Aggravated Assault (1): NC Highway 54 West (parking area).
• Simple Assaults (7): Across Barbee Chapel Rd. (church/park), Denali Ct., Pine Glen Trail, NC 55, NC 54, and Slater Rd.
• Sexual Assaults (2): One near a Fayetteville Rd. parking lot, another in a residence on NC 55.

🧭 Pattern: Many violent incidents happened in transient or semi-public spaces - parks, parking lots, and hotels - suggesting vulnerability in less-monitored zones.

🚗 Vehicle-Related Crimes

• Motor Vehicle Burglaries (8): Concentrated on South Miami Blvd., Penrith Dr., Fortunes Ridge Dr., Darby Creek Ln., Louis Stephens Dr., and NC 54 East.
• Motor Vehicle Thefts (5): Hot spots on Hope Valley Rd., Morrell Ln., Jessip St., and Glen Falls Ln.

🧭 Pattern: Car crimes continue to dominate South Durham reports - a recurring theme over the last month - with repeated activity in apartment complexes and hotel parking lots.

🏠 Burglaries & Property Crimes

• Residential Burglaries (3): Badlands St., Meadowrun Dr., Savannah Pl.
• Commercial Burglaries (7): Fayetteville Rd., NC 55, NC 54, South Miami Blvd., Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., and its service road.
• Thefts (4): Found on Crescent Dr., Kersey Ct., Slater Rd., and a few others.

🧭 Pattern: The Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. corridor stood out this week, with three separate business break-ins between Oct. 16–18.

💳 Fraud, Vandalism & Harassment

• Fraud/Forgery (6): Home-based and cyber cases spread across Caldecott Ln., Epiphany Rd., Pondfield Way, Hope Valley Rd., and Fayetteville Rd.
• Vandalism (4): At homes and streets on First Edition Dr., Emerald Forest Dr., NC 55, and South Miami Blvd.
• Harassment/Intimidation (3): Cascade Falls Ln., Parkridge Rd., and South Miami Blvd.

🧭 Pattern: Fraud reports now include more cyber-related and health-service-linked incidents, expanding beyond traditional check or retail scams.

📍 Hot Spot Streets to Watch

📊 Takeaways

• 🚗 Car crimes remain dominant, especially near hotels, apartments, and shopping areas.
• 🔴 Violent offenses spiked, including robberies and assaults in public and semi-public spaces.
• 🏬 Commercial burglaries spread along major corridors like Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. and NC 55.
• 💳 Fraud is evolving, with more online and healthcare-related scams.
• 🚨 South Miami Blvd. remains the week’s top hot spot for overall activity.

Southpoint Access monitors weekly crime patterns to help neighbors stay informed about trends across South Durham.

🏆 Triangle Rivalry Challenge: Support South Durham News!

UNC 🩵 or Duke 💙 - no matter your colors, everyone wins when you support local journalism.

Join the Triangle Rivalry Challenge and help Southpoint Access raise $4,000 by year’s end to fund neighborhood reporting that keeps South Durham informed.

🍽️ Durham Public School Cafeteria Menu Today

🍳 Breakfast (K–12) — Wednesday, Oct. 22

Entrée: Scrambled Eggs with Toast
Sides: Fruit Cup
All breakfasts include low-fat or fat-free milk, fresh fruit, and 100% fruit juice.

🧒 Elementary School Lunch

Entrée Options:

• Chicken Nuggets
• Lasagna Roll-Up (V)

On the Side:

• Dinner Roll
• Oven Potatoes
• Seasoned Greens
• Fresh Fruit

All meals come with milk and a serving of fresh fruit.

👦🏽 Middle School Lunch

Entrée Options:

• Chicken Nuggets
• Lasagna Roll-Up (V)

Sides:

• Dinner Roll
• Oven Potatoes
• Seasoned Greens
• Fresh Fruit

Middle School To Go Option:

• (No “To Go” salad listed for Wednesday)

Middle school lunches also include milk and fruit.

🎓 High School Lunch

Entrée Options:

• Chicken & Vegetable Dumplings in Teriyaki Sauce
• Deli Turkey Sub

Sides:

• Baby Carrots
• Steamed Broccoli
• Fresh Fruit

All high school lunches include milk and a choice of fruit.

🗓️ What’s Happening in Durham – Wednesday, Oct. 22

Looking for midweek plans around South Durham, NC? Today’s lineup includes family-friendly fun at Southwest Regional Library, an evening talk at Durham Main Library, and a quick hop to Carrboro for horror trivia. Whether you’re near Southpoint, NC 55, or along NC Highway 54, there’s something easy and local to do after school or after work.

🎃 Creepy Creatures Bingo
🕒 3–3:30 p.m. | Durham County Library – Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd., Durham)
A quick, kid-friendly bingo with a spooky twist. Drop in and play - great after-school fun.

🧠 Final Trip: Psychedelics for Living & Dying
🕕 6–7:30 p.m. | Durham County Library – Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St., Durham)
A public talk exploring therapeutic and end-of-life perspectives on psychedelics. Thoughtful, science-forward discussion.

👻 Horror Trivia Night
🕕 6–7 p.m. | Orange County Public Library – Southern Branch (203 S. Greensboro St., Carrboro)
Test your scary-movie knowledge with friends and neighbors. Teams welcome; prizes possible.

Get more ideas for activities from the Southpoint Access events calendar.

💬 WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?

What issues around your neighborhood in South Durham should get more attention? Reply to this newsletter and let me know. Send email to wes.platt@southpointaccess.news.

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