The Pinehurst Police Department came under fire Wednesday for the perception that it is overzealous and aggressive in enforcing traffic laws.

Police Chief Ronnie Davis and Village Manager Andy Wilkison were invited to address questions at a Pinehurst Business Guild meeting held at Given Memorial Library. Members of the Village Council and all candidates for the council also attended.

While Wilkison gave a brief presentation on some of the issues the village will be facing in the future, the attendees quickly turned the focus of the conversation to the police department and how it is viewed among Pinehurst residents and guests.

Many said they feel the department has been almost predatory in its approach, and that philosophy is hurting the village's reputation and businesses.

"The concern seems to be that the police department is more concerned with punishment than prevention," said John Marsh, publisher of Traditions Magazine and a Guild member.

Audience members told Davis "horror stories" of residents and visitors who had been subjected to frequent and prolonged traffic stops (one said he had been personally stopped for over an hour despite passing Breathalyzer and sobriety tests), police officers following cars too closely and officers "hunting" people as they leave local bars and restaurants, including a young man who was walking home from work and hadn't been drinking.

Some blamed what they called a pervasive "attitude of arrogance" among the village's police force, and said the aggressiveness of the department was unlike anything they had experienced elsewhere. Another likened the department to one that would exist in Russia or Northern Ireland.

The department's reputation has gotten so bad, some members of the audience said, that it is driving people away from the village because they're afraid to have a glass of wine with dinner.

"Local people will not come to eat in the local restaurants because of the police," said Marty McKenzie, a Realtor and developer. "Regardless of what you think or what you actually do in your numbers, the reputation is out there, and it's hurting small business."

Davis encouraged residents to report any misconduct or bad experiences to him, adding that he cannot take any action if he isn't notified. He said that the department has the technological capabilities to review traffic stops and where officers are located at certain times.

But he did not apologize for his department's crackdown on drunken driving.

"I really do not understand how you can be overly aggressive on a driving while impaired (DWI)," he said.

He explained that sobriety tests are completed in addition to a Breathalyzer because the Breathalyzer cannot detect substances other than alcohol. He said being stopped for over an hour was entirely too long, though.

The department conducts two license checks a month in the village, which Davis doesn't consider excessive, considering the village has a problem with nonresidents driving through without a license.

To pull over a vehicle, Davis said, an officer must have a reasonable suspicion, such as erratic driving. He said state statute prohibits arbitrary stops. He added that the department does not have ticket quotas, nor does it make money off the citations it issues.

In fact, Davis said he encourages his officers to issue warnings when possible, though that is left to the officers' discretion.

Officer professionalism and decorum is a "continuous topic" at the department's monthly meetings, Davis said.

"But if we have officers that are going above what they should be doing," he said, "I need to know about it because I cannot handle it without knowing about it."

It was suggested that residents haven't been informing the chief about these problems because they fear retaliation.

Wilkison said there is no reason for anyone to be afraid to get to know Davis and the officers. He said the village and business communities must work together to address the issue. Davis suggested having his officers stop by village businesses during operating hours.

"We are having a problem here in town," Wilkison said. "The problem in some people's perspective is the police are too active, and they're stopping too many people. But we're also having a problem with traffic in town and with drunk drivers.

"These people (the police) have a responsibility that they're going to fulfill. They're going to try to be as courteous and as nonburdensome to the public as they can."

George Bonville suggested some "positive" alternatives that could help curb drunk driving, including a community shuttle bus program similar to what is used in Aspen, Colo.

Councilman Jeff Dawson said the council was well aware of the complaints and the matter had been discussed in meetings with staff and the chief. He called the issue a difficult one to deal with, considering the village needs to be welcoming and inviting, yet must enforce the law.

He said Davis has been willing to reduce the number of checkpoints and not have an officer stationed at the village border with a radar gun. He said the council will continue to work with the Police Department to address the issue.

He added: "I don't disagree with you that our reputation is in the wrong place right now."

Contact John Krahnert III at (910) 693-2473 or by e-mail at jkrahnert@thepilot.com.