Wingate residents divided over proposal to disband local police department
Residents of Wingate, North Carolina, are voicing concerns as the town considers disbanding its police department due to rising costs and staffing shortages.
The town manager, Brad Sellers, highlighted that police budgets have increased by 26% over the last five years, prompting discussions about contracting law enforcement services to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
“We want the same protection that our police have given us,” said Charlie Dorsett, a Wingate resident.
“As citizens, I love the police department here,” expressed Willie Beatrice Colson, another resident.
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Sheriff Eddie Cathey stated, “I’m fine whichever way this goes; I’m not asking for it,” regarding the potential contract with his office.
The proposal to contract with the Union County Sheriff’s Office would involve providing four full-time deputies, which is estimated to be over $300,000 cheaper annually than maintaining the current police department.
Roger May, a resident, commented, “I look at the cost of living here, I want taxes to stay low, and this makes sense from a tax standpoint.”
Catherine Davis raised concerns about the decision-making process, asking, “Are we looking at all the metrics, all the benchmarks?”
Cathey assured residents that if the commissioners approve the contract, they won’t see a difference in law enforcement services despite the staffing problems.
Officer Sterling Hall expressed uncertainty about the future, saying, “Not a clue, and I’ll tell you, I think a lot of our officers share that angst, they’re not sure.”
The mayor mentioned that if the police department is disbanded, he would push for a severance package for the displaced officers, and the Union County Sheriff’s Office has welcomed them to apply for positions.
The town of Wingate is expected to vote on the proposal to disband its police department next Tuesday.
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