Downtown Durham is cared for by a dedicated team of Ambassadors, here for you every day.
Ambassadors
You’ll see them, dressed in purple, keeping our streets clean, welcoming visitors with directions, and even jump-starting a car when you need a hand.
Have questions? Just stop one and ask.
Need to submit a service request?
Call 919-682-BULL (2855) or submit online.
Three Teams. One Focus. Downtown Durham.
SAFETY
A visible, friendly presence focused on prevention, awareness, and support. They help deter issues before they arise, assist with de-escalation, and connect individuals to appropriate resources when needed.
HOSPITALITY
The Hospitality Ambassadors are the front-line greeters of downtown Durham. They provide directions, answer questions, assist visitors, support events, and offer services like jump-starts or wellness checks. Their goal is to create positive, welcoming experiences and make sure everyone feels at home downtown.
CLEAN
The Clean Ambassadors take pride in caring for downtown’s streets and public spaces. From sweeping sidewalks and emptying trash to removing graffiti and addressing maintenance issues, this team helps keep downtown looking its best- every day, in every season.
The Bull Ride
The Bull Ride is a free, convenient, and friendly electric-powered transportation service designed to help residents, business owners, and visitors navigate downtown with ease. Spot The Bull Ride downtown? Simply wave or use Durham’s iconic bull horn gesture to signal our ambassador to stop or call 919-682-BULL (2855).
Service is first-come, first-served, with a maximum of 5 passengers per ride.
Hours:
- Thursdays, Fridays: 4:30 pm – Midnight
- Saturdays: 10 am –Noon, 4:30 – Midnight
Special event hours may vary.
Service Area:
- Main Street from Brightleaf to Golden Belt
- Along Blackwell / Corcoran / Foster Street, from American Tobacco Campus through Central Park District
Rules:
No alcohol. No smoking. No large bags. No bad attitudes. Children under 8 must have a car seat.
Service Requests
Ambassadors are on duty throughout downtown seven days a week, with rotating shifts and zones.
Regular Schedule:
- Sunday thru Tuesday: 7am to 8pm
- Wednesday thru Saturday: 7 am – 10 pm
May vary due to special events and projects.
Call 919-682-BULL (2855) for assistance.
Ambassador Services
- Cleaning and maintaining public sidewalks and spaces
- Welcoming and assisting visitors
- Promoting downtown amenities and businesses
- Providing maps and visitor information
- Assisting with downtown special events
- Removing graffiti from public spaces
- Power washing sidewalks
- Calls for assistance to police, fire, EMS
- Connecting those in need to social services
- Car jumpstarts
- And more
Other Resources
DURHAM ONE CALL
Animal Control
Encampments
Fire Hydrants
Pot Holes
Sidewalk Repairs
Trees/Landscaping
Street Signs
Storm Drains
NON EMERGENCY LINE
Noise Complaints
Vandalism
Non-active Burglaries
Mental Health Check
DUKE ENERGY
Power Outages/Lines
Light Fixtures
PARK DURHAM
Parking Permits
Appeal/Pay Parking Tickets
Event Parking
Public/Personal Safety
H.E.A.R.T.
Gas Leaks
Fire
Key team members:
Dexter Turnage
Clean & Safe Operations Manager
Ramar Whitfield
Ambassador Team Lead
Downtown Durham Text Messaging Privacy Policy
Effective Date: February 20, 2026
Downtown Durham, Inc. (Block by Block or program partners) respect your privacy and are committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains how information is collected, used, and protected in connection with text messaging communications between Downtown Durham, Inc. and constituents regarding issues and conditions in downtown Durham.
Purpose of Text Messaging
The text messaging program is used solely for operational and safety-related communications, including but not limited to:
Reporting maintenance, cleanliness, safety, or infrastructure issues
Sharing real-time updates related to downtown conditions
Coordinating responses between Ambassadors and other staff, the city, other program partners.
Text messages are not used for marketing or promotional purposes.
Information We Collect
When participating in the text messaging program, we may collect:
Your mobile phone number
The content of text messages sent and received
Date, time, and delivery status of messages
We do not collect sensitive personal information through text messaging.
How We Use the Information
Information collected through the text messaging program is used to:
Respond to reported issues and requests
Coordinate operations and service delivery
Maintain internal records related to downtown management
Information is accessed only by authorized DDI staff and program partners as needed to carry out downtown operations.
Consent to Receive and Send Text Messages
By participating in the program and providing your mobile phone number, you consent to sending and receiving text messages related to duties and downtown operations.
Message frequency may vary based on operational needs. Standard message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier.
Data Sharing and Disclosure
No mobile information will be shared with third parties or their affiliates for marketing and promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.
Information may be shared only:
With service providers who assist in operating the messaging platform
When required by law or legal process
To protect the safety, rights, or property of DDI, Ambassadors, or the public
Data Retention
Text message data is retained only as long as reasonably necessary for operational, legal, or administrative purposes and is then securely deleted.
Data Security
We take reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect information collected through text messaging from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. However, no method of electronic communication is completely secure.
Opting Out
Users may opt out of the text messaging program at any time by notifying DDI staff or by replying STOP to any text message. Upon opting out, you will no longer receive or be expected to send text messages as part of the program.
Changes to This Policy
DDI may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on downtowndurham.com with an updated effective date.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or the text messaging program, please reply HELP or contact: info@downtowndurham.com