Remarks by Leonardo Williams

124 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 5 of 5

  1. Play at 1:58:50
    “Okay. Okay, so is it? So really quickly, the rows and columns, they're not necessarily aligned with the agenda number, correct? It just so happens this one falls on item 16, fell on line 16. Right. Okay, got it. Let's see. I'll not pay attention to what line item it is and just look at the agenda number. But it does say item number 19.”

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  2. Play at 1:59:35
    “All right, so we don't have a speaker for 19. All right, so now it's items 21 and 22, Councilmember Baker.”

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  3. Play at 2:04:04
    “Is this the same for 22? Okay. Thank you so much.”

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  4. Play at 2:04:09
    “Colleagues, do we need to take a quick break before we get to the presentation? All right, we'll resume back at 3 p.m. We're in recess. One presentation. Yep.”

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  5. Play at 2:12:22

    Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  6. Play at 2:12:29
    “Glad to have you. Looking forward to your report. Just know that the media across the room, your report comes on board. Good to see you guys. Thanks for being here. All right. It's on you.”

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  7. Play at 2:13:50

    Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  8. Play at 2:37:59

    Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  9. Play at 2:41:27

    Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  10. Play at 2:41:41
    “All right, we'll get an inquiry on that. Thank you.”

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  11. Play at 2:41:56

    Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  12. Play at 2:51:44
    “Colleagues, I will say that the community safety department has a lot of this data as well, the line of questioning that's happening right now.”

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  13. Play at 2:51:52
    “Yeah, and Director Smith is giving that update from the, we just had it actually from the, I don't know if it was the Vera Institute or one of them, but it's Durham specific data and it talks about the age demographics. 17 and under in regards to homicides, 11.4%. Victims, 17.3% suspects. But instead of me just reading this off, I would like them to give that to us. No, this is specific to Durham over the last fiscal year, I believe. But let's just request that from Director Smith as a supplemental item.”

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  14. Play at 3:15:30
    “All right. Thank you. This was a great report. Really just, you know, we're getting this information today. I want to shout out former Chief Andrews, Interim Chief Tate, and now you, because what we're seeing is None of this stuff happens overnight, but we are seeing just the quality of our department. And I love to brag, and I just think that we just have the best police department in the state and probably definitely the country. Folks could learn a thing or two from our folks. So thanks for taking the helm and leading. And I mean, the clearance rates are just phenomenal. Those clearance…”

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  15. Play at 3:16:58
    “Okay. Almost like a dashboard or something. Durham does dashboards very well. But that could potentially just, I mean, you can maybe come in quarterly and give an update, but it'll allow us to see real-time data to make really good informed decisions as we are getting into this active actualizing the summit on saving lives recommendations. So that work plan is gonna come forth and having data in real time with the actual work plan will help us be able to fund it better instead of waiting on our, you know, given some, you know, random number to fund it and then not getting or meeting the…”

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  16. Play at 3:19:18
    “It's between us. But, no, thank you. I do have one question. This might be for the attorney. Considering... the United States' very intimate relationship with the Second Amendment and how it's hands off in many ways. Are we not allowed to make it an offense for folks not locking their guns properly?”

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  17. Play at 3:19:56
    “Council Member Cook, is it? State issue? Yeah. Yeah. I mean, we can burn our resources all day. We can educate as much as possible. I do think it's important that we work with the Sheriff's Department. The Sheriff's Department does a lot of education on this as well. If we can do it and we have our community engagement program. We can do whatever we can locally. But, I mean... there has to be responsibility and accountability where we can put it you know uh and and that's not me trying to arrest folks but if you're being irresponsible with the weapon then you play a part in that you know so…”

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  18. Play at 3:21:36
    “Yeah, yeah. So in many areas, we're headed the right direction. As you are learning more about the department and about the city and all of the various resources that are available, we are a progressive city.”

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  19. Play at 3:21:50
    “We have, I mean, for a long time we were resource rich and collaboration poor. We're now making significant investments to be more collaboration competent as well. I'd love to hear, give yourself six months and then I'd love to hear what your recommendations would be in regards of continuing the direction that we're going. as a city and I do know that police in nature is reactive, but I think Durham has in the past and can still be proactive in a sense where we're working to keep folks safe.”

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  20. Play at 3:22:43

    Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  21. Play at 3:24:49

    Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  22. Play at 3:25:35

    Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  23. Play at 3:26:21

    Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

  24. Play at 3:26:39
    “I'll entertain a motion to excuse absence. Moved and probably seconded. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? All right. Thank you all so much. I believe the next time we'll gather is on the inner city visit. And Councilmember Wriste, Kopach, and Mayor Pro Tem, if I could see you all at separate times after the meeting today. Thank you. We are adjourned at 4.16.”

    City Council · Sep 24, 2026

Back to Leonardo Williams’s profile