Wingate University reacts to town’s decision to disband police force

By Avery Hill and Emarie Tucker

Editors

As the fall semester approaches, Wingate University faces new challenges: for the first time in over 70 years, its town will not have an organized police force.

On July 15, Wingate town officials voted to enter a contract with the Union County Sheriff’s Department providing four full-time officers to patrol the town, effectively ending the department’s seven-decade run. The vote comes shortly before Wingate students and staff begin a new semester, leaving many with questions and opinions surrounding the contentious disbandment.

Anna Martin, a senior communications major from Lititz, Pa., recounted her and her friends’ experiences with the now dissolved department.

“When I spoke to the chief of police last semester about road safety enforcement, he had no knowledge of a cross country runner who had been hit by a car right outside the building in the fall,” Martin said. “I also found it very difficult to get ahold of anyone on the force, as calls were forwarded to the Union County Police Department and there was rarely anybody in the Wingate office.”

“I also have a friend who filed a criminal complaint to Wingate police for a serious infraction and she hardly received any communication from the police after they initially interviewed her. I don’t think it’s necessarily the officers’ fault, because it sounds like they were severely understaffed and under-financed; but if they weren’t properly serving the community, then I agree the resources could be better allocated.”

Martin also had questions about security protocols surrounding the campus following the defunding of the department.

“From a student’s perspective, the concern would be what changes will campus safety be implementing to keep us safe,” Martin said. “I’d be worried if there are no plans in place to enhance security around campus because we won’t have that protection from the police department.”

Chief of Safety for Wingate University Mike Easley has been overseeing on-campus security operations for more than 14 years and he weighed in on the police department closing down with a slightly more positive outlook.

“The town of Wingate will be disbanding its current Police Department; however, they will be contracting the law enforcement services with the Union County Sheriff’s Office,” Easley said.

“I have met with Sheriff Eddie Cathey and his command staff; they will assign dedicated officers to the town of Wingate and provide any additional resources as needed.”

“I do not anticipate any changes to our day-to-day operations here at campus safety and we are looking forward to working with the deputies assigned to Wingate. It is also my understanding that they will move into the Wingate Police Department, which is less than a hundred yards from campus.”

Ben Sidbury, a professor who teaches Media Law and Business Law and serves as the general counsel for Wingate from Charlotte, similarly does not foresee much change. He explained how there are other towns in Union County that do not have a dedicated police department.

“I think if anything there will be additional resources,” Sidbury said. “As the town of Wingate grows… I think the sheriff’s office is better positioned to provide the support and resources to a growing community.”

There is not a clear timeline for the police department’s transition to the Union County Sheriff’s Office. The town of Wingate and its officers are faced with an uncertain future.