By JEFFERSON WEAVER
Staff Writer

Columbus County Sheriff Chris Batten reassured Bolton residents Tuesday that his department is sensitive to crime in Bolton.

“We know there’s a problem,” he said. “We know there are some problem areas, and we’re working on them. I can’t tell you all the details right now, but we are working on the problem.”

Batten and Sheriff’s Major Lewis Hatcher addressed the regular meeting of the Bolton Board of Aldermen Tuesday. Residents and the board asked Batten to visit to discuss a spike in crime in the area.

Problems at the park

Bolton defunded its police department July 1. Chief Mervin Vought was the town’s only full-time officer, and used auxiliary personnel for many patrol duties. The budget for the department averaged $50,000 per year.

Batten praised Vought, who attended Tuesday’s meeting as a regular citizen.

“In the past we had a police department we knew we could count on,” Batten said. “If they needed us, they would call us, but they also would share information with the sheriff’s department. We’re doing our best to handle the problems here.”
The sheriff told those at the meeting that school resource officers from Hallsboro and Acme Delco schools have been reassigned to the town park during off-hours, to provide additional, visible law enforcement presence in what has become a troublesome area.

“We’ve tried to keep them nearby during the times when the dealers are starting to stir,” he said.

Several residents said they are afraid to let their children visit the park, due to young men “selling cigarettes and drugs” to young children. The residents said the criminals note when the officers are around, but return when no deputies are present.

“Unfortunately, the SRO’s (school resource officers) are sometimes called away to perform other tasks,” Batten said.
Batten also announced a saturation patrol program for the area.

Target drugs

Batten said the sheriff’s department is especially targeting cocaine and marijuana dealers in the area.

“We avoided most of the problems with crystal methamphetamine,” he said, “because the problem was just starting here when the new laws went into effect.”

The state recently passed tighter restrictions on sales of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals that can be used as precursor ingredients for crystal meth. The restrictions had an almost immediate effect on the growing problem of meth in North Carolina, Batten said.

On the other hand, prescription drugs are a growing and frustrating problem, he said.

“The person can’t get those drugs except through a physician,” Batten said. “He or she might lie to the doctor, but we can’t do anything about that. We have to prove someone has these drugs illegally, and it’s hard to do in some cases.”

Batten said investigations sometimes take longer “than we like” since local authorities rely on federal charges to “make the prison time worthwhile.

“We have one fellow going to court in Raleigh this week,” Batten said. “He’ll be gone for 18 to 45 years. We hope that’s long enough that he won’t bother you for a while.”

Problems with
nightclubs

Residents also voiced complaints about nightclubs in the town that often stay open until four in the morning or later.
“State ABC law says they have to quit serving alcohol at 2 a.m.,” Batten said, “but I’m willing to bet you if someone’s staying there playing cards at 6 a.m., they aren’t doing it with a sober head.”

Residents and Alderman Gloria Ashley told the sheriff about late night drag racing, loud music and shouting coming from the clubs. They also expressed concern about rumors of gang activity and illegal firearms at the clubs, with drugs being sold in the parking areas.

“The club owners aren’t going to check everyone that comes in there for a gun,” one man said. “That’s just asking to get shot.”

Ashley said that loud noise, music and cars from one club are a constant problem in her neighborhood.

“They are lined up all along the street,” she said. “We never know when they’re shouting and hollering if there’s a fight or what’s going on.”

Batten encouraged the residents to become more involved in reporting suspicious vehicles or activity.

“Get us a tag number,” he said. “Get us a description – you don’t have to give us your name. We’ll meet you anywhere you want. Myself or Major Hatcher will be happy to talk to you anytime.

“We want to help you stop these problems,” Batten said. “If we can put some more of them away for a while, then we can help you take your town back.

“Drugs are like a fire ant nest,” Batten said. “We have to stomp on them, and stomp on them, and keep stomping on them. We stomp on them enough, they’ll all be gone.”

Batten and the board also discussed organizing a dinner similar to those held in other communities, where the sheriff’s department sponsored a chicken bog and invited “everybody.”

“It’s a good time to get to know your drug officers, our deputies, everyone,” Batten said. “If we get to know each other, it’s a lot easier to work together and solve these problems.”