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Published Fri, Feb 17, 2012 05:27 AM
Modified Fri, Feb 17, 2012 06:32 AM

Bell's bail proposal gains support

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BY VIRGINIA BRIDGES - CORRESPONDENT

Tags: local | news

DURHAM -- Durham County Commissioners Chairman Michael Page backs Mayor Bill Bell's call for higher bails for people accused of gun crimes.

Page said he didn't cite Bell's $300,000 figure in his state of the county speech this week because local officials are still discussing it. But he said Thursday he does support increasing the maximum bail for those accused of illegally firing a gun from the current $75,000.

"If it works, I support it," he said.

Page said the Sheriff's Office reported a 12-percent drop in crime in the unincorporated area of Durham County in 2011, but "our overall community continues to wage an unending battle against too many injuries and deaths caused by firearms."

In addition to higher bail, Page said another goal is asking the General Assembly for harsher penalties for gun-related offenses.

The Sheriff's Office is working with police to reduce crime in Northeast Central Durham and with federal officers to target criminals selling or distributing guns illegally, he said.

"Our residents must feel safe, and all of us must work together to significantly reduce gun crimes in Durham," he said.

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