WINGATE, N.C. — The Town of Wingate signed another one-year contract with the Union County Sheriff’s Office. It was one year ago that deputies took over policing duties after commissioners disbanded the Wingate Police Department.
Lt. James Maye says just in the last year, the four deputies assigned to the town have slowed traffic and reduced crashes on U.S. 74 through Wingate.
Maye says their presence has also improved response times, saying it made a huge difference in a domestic assault call in April where deputies arrived in just three minutes.
“We had four deputies on scene in less than three minutes,” Maye said. “I feel confident that their response time helped save her life.”
Wingate Mayor Gary Hamill says the partnership is working and has also helped save tax dollars.
“We’ve been able to save a little over $100,000 of taxpayer dollars, where we’ve been able to reallocate that to benefit the residents of Wingate, like with new sidewalks and park improvements,” Hamill said.
Deputies also patrol Wingate University.
A spokesperson says deputies responded to 160 calls on campus this past year. Those ranged from parking lot accidents to reports about stolen bikes.
The school’s campus safety chief says the partnership has worked “extremely well. Deputies have maintained a visible presence around campus, regularly assist our Campus Safety officers ... and continue to provide important support during major University events.”
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