RAMSEUR – The grand opening of a Randolph County Sheriff’s Office substation in Ramseur is another visible step in the town resolving issues that resulted in controversy last summer.
The sheriff’s office is overseeing law enforcement in the town in an arrangement that developed with the Ramseur Police Department being dissolved.
“I think Ramseur is going to be well-served working with the sheriff’s department,” said Carol Akers, the town clerk and finance officer. “Everything is positive.”
The substation is at 1507 Main Street. The open house and ceremony are scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 18).
The collaboration between the town and sheriff’s office has been in place formally since November, with deputies stationed in the town. Ramseur is paying approximately $478,000 annually for services from the sheriff’s office.
Last summer, members of the Ramseur Police Department demanded raises that the town council didn’t deem practical to approve. There were once seven members of the town’s police force, Akers said. Their departures combined with chief David Presley’s retirement at the end of August left Ramseur without designated police coverage.
“We tried everything,” Akers said. “This seemed like a good route to go. … Officers (from the sheriff’s office) are assigned to Ramseur and they stay in Ramseur on a regular basis.’
Akers said many small communities have taken this partnership approach.
“You’re better-served because your county sheriff’s department has a lot more resources than a small community can purchase,” Akers said.
The sheriff’s office and town are touting the substation as a location for safe exchanges with security surveillance. In the future, fingerprinting and other full-scale services from the sheriff’s office will be available.
“We look forward to a long and successful relationship with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office,” mayor Hampton Spivey said. “We appreciate everyone’s hard work in making this transition possible.”
Randolph County Sheriff Greg Seabolt said the partnership should be good for Ramseur and the substation provides another avenue for face-to-face interaction.
“As technology advances, we recognize the significance of personal interactions,” Seabolt said.
A sergeant, four officers and an administrative assistant will be based at the substation, where the facility has been remodeled. The office part of the substation will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.
