A Few Facts for the People of Pinehurst
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“Just the facts, ma’am,” is one of my favorite quotes from Detective Joe Friday of the old TV show “Dragnet.”
Recently comments have been made about the Pinehurst Police Department that were not factual, and I would like to give everyone the facts.
First fact: The Pinehurst Police Department does not have 38 officers; I wish we did. We currently have 24 sworn officers: a chief of police, a captain, two detectives and 20 officers in the Patrol Division. Those officers are broken into four teams of five officers, each working 12-hour rotating shifts.
Second fact: The Pinehurst Police Department has no unsolved homicides. Our last homicide was in 1998, and it was solved.
Third fact: Yes, the bank robbery from January of this year is yet unsolved. It is still an open investigation, and we are diligently pursuing leads related to it. Some cases just take longer than others to solve. We are confident that it will eventually be solved.
Fourth fact: The village of Pinehurst, not the Police Department, receives $5 for each citation written that ends with a conviction. In 2009, the Pinehurst Police Department issued 2,669 citations. At $5 each, that means the village of Pinehurst took in $13,345 if all the citations ended in a conviction.
The current cost of court is $136 and is broken down in the following ways: a $12 facility fee to Moore County; $3 to the state of North Carolina for the Indigent Defense Fund; $2 for law enforcement training and certification to the state of North Carolina; a $10 Vehicle Violation Fee to the state of North Carolina; $92.50 in criminal fees to the state of North Carolina; $7.50 for the Law Enforcement Officer Retirement Fund to the state of North Carolina; a $4 judicial phone fee to the state of North Carolina; and a $5 officer fee to the municipality/county the officer works for.
Fifth fact: Based on radar surveys by our officers and the department’s radar trailer, 61 percent of the people driving in and through the village of Pinehurst are speeding. Additionally, based on complaints from the citizens in the village of Pinehurst, I have instructed the officers to aggressively enforce the traffic laws of the state of North Carolina.
“Aggressively” means if officers see a violation and can safely stop the violator, they are to do so. The discretion to issue a citation, a written warning or a verbal warning is left up to the individual officer.
Sixth fact: For the first seven months of this year, we have made 54 arrests for driving while impaired, a decrease of 20.5 percent compared with the same time last year. We have issued 1,644 citations, for an increase of .1 percent compared with the same time last year. We have issued 149 warning tickets for an increase of 98.6 percent compared with the same time last year.
Finally, it is a known fact that for a community to remain safe, the citizens must get involved. I implore you to call the Police Department about any ongoing crimes, whether it is drugs or suspicious activities. If you know about it and do not report it, you are condoning the crime.
You can call the Pinehurst Police Department at (910) 295-3141 and leave an anonymous tip.
These are the facts. I would ask you to remember a famous quote by Theodore Roosevelt: “No man is above the law, and no man is below it: nor do we ask any man’s permission when we ask him to obey it.”
Floyd R. Thomas is a police captain for the village of Pinehurst.
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Comments
SuzyQ 1 year, 5 months ago
I am new to Pinehurst, and I must say that it seems to be a fantastic place to live and raise a family. I have lived in many different places and know for a fact that the police force plays a big part in the security of a community. The police force here is visibly present, but does not seem intimidating. I give the Pinehurst Police Dept an A+ for first impressions. I feel safer here than I have ever felt anywhere.
MikeNC 1 year, 5 months ago
Thanks for everything you guys do for the public and what you silently and professionally put up with. I appreciate it....Mike
sbouser 1 year, 5 months ago
To Our Readers: Thanks to a careless editing error committed by some idiot in our newsroom (me), the print version of this column on Page B2 of today's paper erroneously identifies the writer, Capt. Floyd Thomas, as the police chief of Pinehurst. No, he has not received a recent promotion. The chief is still Ronnie Davis. I ask forgiveness from both men for any problems this has caused.
listenup 1 year, 5 months ago
Its great that the Pinehurst force is out and doing its job, but I think the complaints you hear are more based on how some of the officers do their job as opposed to just doing it. Some of the younger officers tend to be very aggressive in their duties in the way they interact with the public. I have had both wonderful and upsetting experiences with these public servants, and I wish all the officers were on the same level as far as interpersonal skills go.
If an officer stops you walking in your own neighborhood, returning from a neighbors house only a few dozen yards away, once you identify yourself politely, and provide ID, you should be let to go on your way, not berated for being out after dark or treated like a criminal. I have seen this happen, and it is disheartening. I think this is the kind of situation where some folks feel they are being harassed by the officers in Pinehurst. People are then uneasy about reporting this behavior to the officer's supervisors, fearing they are then "marked" by that officer as a troublemaker or problem for them.
Even with some of the issues I mentioned here, I do think you are doing a good job, and I do feel safe living in Pinehurst. We do know how hard the job is, and how thankless it can be.
pinewoodnc 1 year, 5 months ago
The only complaint I have is with the speeding that is done in the area especially around the traffic circle and on 15/501. I have lived in many parts of the country. I have lived in one of the largest metropolitan cities in the country and the speeding was no worse than in the Pinehurst area. I almost never see the police on 15/501 stopping folks from using that road like it was the interstate. I have almost been run over attempting to get into the circle by someone speeding around it and flying up on my bumper. Also, I have just avoided accidents by aggressive drivers who come up to the circle in the wrong lane and then cut across the white line and the ruts place there pushing into the circle. I just cannot understand why the police don't commit some hours each week to monitoring those areas.
fugitiveguy 1 year, 5 months ago
I know several members of the Pinehurst PD, they are good people.
nothingspecial 1 year, 5 months ago
Floyd, I really appreciated your informative article.
Poundman 1 year, 5 months ago
After dealing with the Aberdeen police the Pinehurst police are very tame.
coffecreme 1 year, 5 months ago
A couple of bad apples can spoil the bushel. Get rid of those bad apples and maybe you won't have to be writing to the Pilot defending your department.
None 1 year, 5 months ago
Captain Thomas' article is on target. Having known Chief of Police Ronnie Davis [no relation] since he came to Pinehurst in those early days when the late James Wilson Wise was Chief of Police, his door is always open to address concerns or issues. I have never called and not had an opportunity to speak with him. For those who have concerns about being "marked" for traffic harrasment by one of his officers, let me assure you that will not happen on his watch. I know him well enough to know that professionalism is first and foremost his object for his staff. Any behavior that is deemed to not be professional will find their way to the door.
coffecreme 1 year, 5 months ago
Sorry Toda, there is one officer on that force who has had numerous complaints about harrassment and nonprofessional attitude and he is still in the department.
listenup 1 year, 5 months ago
I can believe that "61 percent of the people driving in and through the village of Pinehurst are speeding"
Since the geniuses in the Village Council had the speed limit changed to 25mph on just about every road, the whole town is now a speed trap. The bulk of these roads were built to travel at 35mph safely and have been that speed limit for decades. Change them back to a normal, safe, 35, and I will bet you that the percentage of "speeders" will drop by over half.
I feel for the Police in Pinehurst, they are stuck between two main types of drivers: People who actually need to get somewhere for work and just want to go the normal 35mph, and people who have all the time in the world and are terrified of any vehicle traveling at over 20mph. Unfortunately the Council listens to the retirees (since the council and the Village government are all of AARP age), and makes laws based on their whims.
The cops are just enforcing the laws, and I feel for them, I honestly do. It is not up to them to decide if a law is moronic or not.
nothingspecial 1 year, 5 months ago
Poundman, you're so right! I can relax and drive in Pinehurst and Southern Pines but avoid Aberdeen like the plague because of all their traps for everything under the sun. And I don't mean on the main drags, they love hanging out on Fort Bragg Road between Indiana and Bethesda Cemetary.
teufelhunden 1 year, 5 months ago
I think our PD is doing a stellar job. I am glad to live in Pinehurst. I definitely feel safe here.
bigD 1 year, 5 months ago
coffeecream- Who is this officer?
Ross 1 year, 5 months ago
Whispering Pines is the REAL "speed trap". Makes the others look like Andy Griffin!
buddysmith 1 year, 5 months ago
I think the Pinehurst police should refrain from writing tickets to out of town folks tying to negotiate the traffic circle. I have had a couple of people complain to me about receiving a moving violation because they had no idea how to use the circle. Still wish, with so many officers, they could figure out a way to expedite traffic at peak times during the day at the circle. There has to be a way!
None 1 year, 5 months ago
coffecreme => have you spoken with Chief Ronnie Davis about the officer? If not give him a call. Let me know if you don't get a response.
coffecreme 1 year, 5 months ago
I have heard stories from others who have gone into the department to voice their complaints and been dismissed.
AllNatural 1 year, 5 months ago
Coffecreme, I wonder if this is the same officer that I had a run-in with? He had a really nasty attitude...
Toda, this officer's last name starts with a "M". I don't want the pilot to delete my post, so that's the best I can do without saying his whole name..
coffecreme 1 year, 5 months ago
I hear you AllNatural... his first name starts with an "R". Not a nice person let alone a professional Police Officer. Nasty nasty attitude and lies like a rug.
AllNatural 1 year, 5 months ago
Coffecreme:
Yep, that's the same guy..Very nasty attitude!
mooremedic 1 year, 5 months ago
Having known Chief Davis for many years and Capt. Thomas for several years I can say without doubt that they both would appreciate any input you individuals have about their officers. I work with these officers on a daily basis and I know that Pinehurst has some outstanding officers, and they enforce the laws, which may not make them very popular in the eyes of those they have written tickets to. But if you have actual facts and not rumors or innuendos about a certain officer then I know for a fact Capt. Thomas would love to hear from you. If you're speaking of the officer I think you are, he wrote my daughter a ticket two weeks ago and although intimidating to such a young girl he was only professional and in no way appeared to have an attitude.....
recondo 1 year, 5 months ago
I have was a LEO For 14 years and have been a life long resident of moore county. Pinehurst PD Does outstanding work when it comes down to the thick of things like robberys and major crimes however i do know that Fact Seven is You can and will be stopped in Pinehurst as well as whispering pines for The crime of Driving while not from there. I go out of my way to avoid driving through these two "Villages" and i am sure other county residents feel the same way
None 1 year, 5 months ago
coffecreme & AllNatural => I have this morning spoken with Chief Davis regarding your threads about one of his officers. Chief Davis reiterated that his door is always open...just be courteous enough to phone his office to set up an appointment because he has meetings with council members as well as others in law enforcement.
Most patrol cars are equipped with video and audio systems and he has those recorded traffic stops archived in the event that a need arises to review those interactions with the public or court presentations. Once you have an opportunity to meet and speak with Chief Davis, I’m certain you will leave with better insight into your concerns or issues knowing they have been addressed in a professional manner.
He has several meetings next week, but give him a call to set up an appointment.
listenup 1 year, 5 months ago
Toda, here is the concern that many (law abiding and pleasant) people have: You complain about an officer, the chief confronts the officer about the issue, but does not fire him, the officer returns to patrol. Guess what? A good chance that the officer remembers who made the complaint, and chances are that the person who made the complaint is now extra likely to be stopped and or harassed by the officer. You have to admit, real or imagined, this is enough reason to keep people from contacting the chief about officers who harass or are just plain bad with the public. It is bad enough to get harassed, the last thing you want is the officer who is already unprofessional, or way too gung-ho/aggressive, to go after you because you may have threatened his job.
listenup 1 year, 5 months ago
One thing many Pinehurst residents have experienced, is that the police react in a decidedly different manner if you are under the age of 60, and if you don't live in Old Town, main Village, ect. If you are younger (and I mean 30's 40's) and live outside of the "ritzy" areas of Pinehurst, you are treated in a different manner. It seems the police know that a younger less wealthy citizen is less likely to go down to the village hall and complain to the council or chief.
listenup 1 year, 5 months ago
Again, these points may be just people's perception, but that perception goes a long way. I have had 99% good interaction with the folks of the Pinehurst force, and they have come to my assistance and been courteous for the most part. But the one run-in I had with an angry and aggressive officer has now made me nervous to walk in my own neighborhood after dark, not out of fear of criminals, but worried about being stopped and grilled for doing something that I have a right to do. Unfortunately the few bad apples can cause a real image problem for the whole force.
silentbob 1 year, 5 months ago
Toda I didn't know you was working for Chief Davis. Listenup: Most of the time when an officer is complained on he is not told who filed the complaint. He may remember the incident but I can assure you he will not harrass or target you after the complaint. If you have a legitimate complaint you should talk to the Chief or the Capt. instead of talking to people on here. No one on hear can help you with the issue. There are bad apples in every bunch and good citizens like yourself help us weed them out.
None 1 year, 5 months ago
listenup => you may have had an unpleasant experience with one of Chief Davis's Officers. As I said in my post September 3, 2010 at 10:43 a.m., most of the patrol cars are equipped with audio and video, as well as GPS systems. The officer whose initials were mentioned has had his dash cam stops reviewed when a complaint is recorded.
I can't speak for anyone with the Pinehurst Police Department regarding their policy. However, I can say that if one follows protocol and sets up an appointment with him to discuss one of his officers’ conduct, there wouldn't be any type of retaliation. He and I discussed that as well. From our time working together over the years, lessons were learned from traffic stops in the past. Nothing has changed - except now there is a video and audio of traffic stops that capture what has transpired. If a motorist is harassed by an officer, the recording will provide those incidents as well as GPS information.
carolina_girl 1 year, 5 months ago
If you have doubts as to how many calls officers in Pinehurst receive regarding speeding and traffic accidents, contact Capt. Thomas and inquire about completing a ride along. This service is offered to the pubic as a valuable resource to observe officers under daily circumstances.
I commend the Village for reducing the speed limit to 25 mph. I, like so many others have children with whom I enjoy taking evening walks and family members who use the roads for running and honestly, 25 mph is fast enough. If you need to go faster, then please avoid cutting through neighborhoods on your way to work or lunch or wherever it is you need to be quickly. By setting the speed limit at 25 mph, the general public will likely drive 35 mph, thusly; setting the limit at 35 mph follows drivers will edge up to the 45 mph mark.
Pinehurst is a family community who appreciates the presence of our officers as well as their enforcement of the law. Please remember they are laws, not suggestions, and if our speed limits are bothersome and slow to you, I encourage you to use the roads which will detour you around and also out of Pinehurst.
coffecreme 1 year, 5 months ago
Excuse me carolina_girl, it is not about the officers enforcing the laws; they should enforce the laws. It is more about how certain officers go about it and the manner in which they attain such. Put a badge on a couple of them and they think they are God.
AllNatural 1 year, 5 months ago
I have to say I agree with Coffecreme again. This is NOT about officers enforcing laws. I have a family member that works in law enforcment and I respect what they do on a daily basis.
The majority of officers do a wonderful job, protecting and serving the community. But there are those few who are, plain and simple, ---holes!
Toda: My run-in with Ofc. M from Pinehurst Pd was awhile ago, and I decided(at that time) not to report him. I figured he was probably having a "bad" day and was not always an ---hole. Well since then, I have heard ATleast 3 people complain about this particular officer...Guess he IS always an ---hole!