Durham leaders to take harder stance against vandals protesting death of Jesus Huerta

DURHAM

Since November, heavily armed officers and protestors have faced off, resulting in thousands of dollars worth of damage to city property.

City leaders say the Jan. 19 march resulted in $5,000 in damage to a police substation and state property along with $17,000 in overtime for police officers.

It is the reason why a city council member says he has drafted a resolution with the hope of preventing similar vandalism on Feb. 19.

Protesters and supporters of Jesus Huerta's family have said they would mark the date of the teen's tragic death until they get answers.

The family is still waiting for the police department's final report of the incident.

Investigators have said Huerta died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound from a weapon he was carrying. No charges will be filed in the case.

However, the SBI and the Durham District Attorney's Office are reviewing new information the teen's family has provided.

Meanwhile, city leaders say they can no longer bend the rules for the protesters who have marched without a permit and in the evening, which are both violations of the law, according to Durham city council member Eugene Brown.

"We're just going to send a message to those who'll participate Feb. 19 that these are the rules and if you break the rules there will be consequences to pay. And the response by police will be proportional to the extent of their activities. Enough is enough," Brown said.

Brown says his fellow council members will first have to approve the resolution he has created. He says the council plans to discuss it as early as Thursday.

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