Several citizens spoke out at the regular monthly meeting of the Morven Town Council on Monday night, Jan. 4, citing concerns about crime, as well as about Police Chief Alex Campbell.

Police chief's actions questioned

The first to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting was Harry Williams, who claimed he was recently sitting outside in front of his property when Chief Campbell stopped by and told him that due to a law that went into effect Jan. 1, he was not allowed to sit there. Williams said the chief told him that "it was 'my street.'" An argument ensued between the two men and Williams said he found himself "locked up."

Steven Smith spoke later in the public comment period, saying that he didn't really have a dog in the fight but was present at the time of the disagreement and arrest.

He said he felt that "the chief was a little bit out in left field" and admitted he honestly thought the two were joking with each other until Williams was arrested.

Williams also alleged that a woman had been driving under the influence and wrecked in town, and he heard that the chief drove the woman home and she was not charged.

Campbell later said the woman was charged with DWI and that he would not speak on the incident with Williams, since it had not yet been heard in court.

Members of the town council told Williams that they would look into his case and ensure that his arrest was legal.

Councilwoman Marjorie Cole is over ordinances and said she and Mayor Pro Tem Susan Woodburn would get back in touch with Williams before the next town council meeting.

Concerns over crime

Sheila Pratt also spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, saying that she and many other Morven citizens were concerned about the increase in crime. She asked why known drug dealers are allowed to hang around in front of local businesses.

Cole said she was going to talk with the council about increasing the police force's hours and adding additional officers.

"I know there is an ordinance," Mayor Carolyn Solomon said. "The owners of the businesses have to report it to us."

Councilman Theodore Carr also pointed out it might be a good idea for the town police to "target the hot spots."

"We need to increase the police time," Cole reiterated. "They need to be out there longer. ... I don't believe 15 hours a week is enough time."

The mayor pointed out that the town has been approved for a COPS grant that will allow for the hiring of one full-time officer for the next three years. "Hopefully, we will see a difference" once that officer is hired, she said.

Later in the meeting, during the police report portion of the meeting, Wadesboro Police Chief Janie Schutz spoke to the council, reminding them that although the COPS grant is a wonderful thing, the town shouldn't expect a windfall. Wadesboro received the same grant and hired its officer in September. He has been working since Oct. 1, Schutz said.

Sgt. Rick Little pointed out that he and Chief Campbell work very limited hours. "Those drug dealers are not on the corner when Alex and I are working," he said.

He also said that Morven police don't do a lot of traffic stops but told the council, "You all could change that."

"To run traffic, you've got to have radar," Schutz pointed out. "To have radar, you've got to have certification of officers." She added that before the meeting, she saw two cars that she could have stopped for "suspicious behavior."

"I chose not to do it because to do stops like that, you need backup," she said.

Schutz also said that Wadesboro police have cut down on the drug dealer problem on Salisbury Street and Morven could do the same thing. "We have a drug loitering ordinance. If you're just standing in a known drug area, we can move them on," she explained. "We've had great cooperation with the business owners."

Carr asked if that put the business owners in danger of retaliation.

"The blessing we have is that we have full-time officers all the time," Schutz replied. "We don't wait on the phone call [from the business owners]."

She added that the community has to cooperate, in addition to heavy police enforcement. "You cannot make a change in the community unless you get the community to want that change. When the community starts to care and make those phone calls, that's when the change comes."

After a bit of discussion, Cole spoke up again. "I think it's our responsibility to protect the citizens of Morven. We need to extend their hours and if possible, add officers."

The council made no decisions on increasing police presence in the town Monday night.