Durham, NC (Monday, February 1, 20201) - On the evening of Saturday, January 30th, deputies from the Sheriff's Office Community Oriented Policing Unit (SCOPE) along with troopers from the NC State Highway Patrol conducted a speed operation from 7:30 pm until 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 31st. The enforcement operation was conducted in multiple areas of Durham County where illegal street racing is known to occur. As a result of this operation, 55 citations were written, four (4) warnings were issued and two (2) outstanding warrants were served. The 34 people cited for speeding were traveling in excess of 15 mph over the posted speed limit with the fastest going 97 mph. The breakdown of the citations is as follows: 

34 - Speeding 
10 - No operators license 
1 - Failure to produce a license 
1 - Illegal U-Turn 
3 - Move Over violation 
2 - Careless and reckless driving
1 - Flee to elude 
1 - No insurance 
1 - DWI 

Durham County Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead reminds the general public DCSO is committed to maintaining safe roadways for all County residents and visitors. Through the use of our speed trailer in neighborhoods, enforcement efforts like this and through public education, our SCOPE unit will continue working with local citizens and neighborhood groups to achieve that goal.  The following information was released on Friday. January 29, 2021
In direct response to citizen complaints, Durham County Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead reminds the general public it is against state law for persons to operate a motor vehicle in prearranged speed competition with another motor vehicle. Potential consequences for these actions include seizure of the motor vehicle pending trial, sale of the motor vehicle at public auction upon conviction, and potential suspension of driver’s license or privilege.

“It saddens me to report a week does not go by when our deputies are responding to individual residents and local neighborhood groups calling us for service about reports of loud, late-night ‘car meet-ups’ across Durham County,” Sheriff Birkhead said. “This activity is not only illegal but obviously dangerous. We are committed getting a handle on this reckless behavior and will hold those individuals accountable.

“There is also the potential infraction of the modified stay-at-home order from 10:00 p.m. to 5 a.m. (Executive Order 181) as well as the outdoor mass gathering limit of 50 people (Executive Order 176). Both state restrictions remain in place through at least February 28, 2021 and will be enforced.”