03/29/2024
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By: Erin Smith

The town of Clarkton recently sent a request to the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office for two deputies to be assigned to patrol the town. Bladen County Chief Deputy Larry Guyton said the Sheriff’s Office has submitted a cost estimate for the Clarkton Town Board to consider. 

Chief Deputy Guyton said, “Basically, the deputies would be hired by the Sheriff’s Office and be assigned to Clarkton and their salaries, equipment and stuff would be reimbursed by the town. My understanding right now we have given them an estimate of what that would cost. We’re just waiting to hear back from them whether they decide to do it or not.”

Clarkton town board member Lawrence McDougald placed the estimated cost for the service at $100,000. McDougald said the biggest problem is finding the funds in the budget. “We’re going to try to work it out, where we can do something and we’ll see what happens. We’re going to have to meet and talk about it again,” said McDougald. 

When asked to describe the town’s proposal, McDougald declined to talk about it until the board reaches a decision. “If we can do it, we will do it in the next year’s budget,” said McDougald. 

He said the matter will most likely be on the agenda for the June board meeting. McDougald said the shooting at Oakdale Homes does not change things. 

The town of Clarkton consists of 900 residents within the city limits and 3,000 residents in the surrounding area. 

In the past the town of Clarkton has operated its own police department. McDougald said the problem with operating the police department in cost among other things. 

McDougald also said the town is studying installing a camera system for high crime areas in the town. He said the board has discussed moving forward with both the camera system and the request for the deputies. McDougald added which program the town pursues depends on the town’s budget. 

In a separate matter, Oakdale Homes in Clarkton has offered the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office space for a substation. Chief Deputy Larry Guyton said the substation is moving forward with the installation of telephone services on Tuesday. When asked how the substation would work in concert with the town’s request. Chief Deputy Guyton said the town does own a building which was used for a police department in the past. He said he did not know if the town of Clarkton has been in contact with the Housing Authority with regards to the substation.

Bladenonline.com has requested a copy of the past board minutes and have not yet received them. 

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