A North Carolina Town Has Disbanded Its Police Department
There has been no shortage of calls to defund the police and disband police departments across the country in recent years. And now one North Carolina town has disbanded its police department. But not for the reason you think. The Hertford Police Department is no more. It was disbanded to save the town money. The Hertford Town Council voted a few months ago to disband the local police department as a way to save money. The move will save upwards of $300,000 a year according to the mayor. From now on all incoming calls will be directed to the Perquimans County Sheriff’s office.
Quentin Jackson a Hertford Councilman described the move as “somber” to area news station WAVY. His feeling is not unique as the town’s police department had been in existence for over 250 years. Other residents expressed concern over whether the sheriff’s office would be able to respond to all calls and in a timely manner as well as what would happen in the event of a deputy-involved shooting. According to Perquimans County Sheriff Shelby White, there will be 4 deputies assigned to the town. “We are going to be there,” White told WAVY. “We are going to be answering calls and do the best we can for the community and provide for the community. He affirms that they will work with the town council to address their concerns as well as residents. Still, many people in the North Carolina town are upset they disbanded the police department.
The town of Hertford is the county seat of Perquimans County in the eastern part of the state. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,143. Hertford is part of North Carolina’s “Inner Banks” region and is considered part of the Elizabeth City Area and the Hampton Roads region.