Sheriff pledges support in Carolina Shores

CAROLINA SHORES—The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office will continue to be in the area providing support, Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram says.

Laura Lewis

Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram speaks at the Dec. 5 Carolina Shores meeting.

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Ingram, accompanied by Capt. Mose Highsmith, spoke at the monthly town board of commissioners meeting Dec. 6 to address concerns about traffic and law enforcement protection. Highsmith also serves as attorney for the sheriff’s office.

Ingram responded to residents’ concerns about speeding. As long as it’s a public highway, “we can enforce those speed limits,” he said.

The department would initially issue warnings. After that, it will give out citations, Ingram said.

Ingram said they also feel they’ve made a lot of positive headway with taking over animal services, with about 200 people now volunteering at the animal shelter. He said that has helped increase the shelter adoption rate from 15 percent to 33 percent, as well as decreasing the animal euthanasia rate.

“Hopefully, that will continue to improve,” Ingram said. “Cats are the bigger issue; there are so many housecats and feral cats. We’re looking at alternative programs with that as well.”

Town commissioner Joyce Dunn commended the department for the “great job you all are doing with animal services and volunteers for animal support.”

Ingram encouraged the town to “let everybody know we’re going to be in the area. He said the department has a traffic team and a grant for two more to cover DWI offenses.

“The community here can help us—send us a message or call me and let us know where the issues are and make the best use of our resources,” he said.

In response to a question from town commissioner John Russo, Ingram said most sheriff’s offices in the state don’t work traffic, and the highway patrol handles wrecks unless there is a city police department.

“We’re trained to [handle], but it ties up our resources,” he said. “We try to assist them when we can. We’re fortunate on this end compared to issues we have on the other end of the county. I can assure you we’re going to take care of the issues here.”

In response to Mayor Walter Goodenough’s question about break-ins, Ingram said, “When we see them, we try to get information out to the community so [residents] can be more alert and vigilant.”

He also cited volunteers and the department’s mobile citizens’ patrol, which keeps watch and reports suspicious activity.

“All of this we hope will be a deterrent to the criminal element,” Ingram said. “It’s just unfortunate we can’t be everywhere at one time.”

Laura Lewis is a staff writer at the Beacon. Reach her at 754-6890 or email llewis@brunswickbeacon.com.