New Hanover County ensured defunding public safety would not be a part of the fiscal year 2021-22 budget.
While allocated monies point to the same conclusion, one recent Wilmington shooting also contributed to a step up in resources.
As a result, six New Hanover County Sheriff s Office parks resource officers were added to the payroll.
According to New Hanover County Chief Communications Officer Jessica Loeper, the shooting at Long Leaf Park during Little League baseball games in early May increased interest around a Park Resource Officer program. The county’s Parks and Gardens Department has always worked closely with the Sheriff s Office regarding safety and security in the parks, and this new program will enhance those efforts and create an even more cohesive system with the same deputies as part of this team (as opposed to just using available deputies to work overtime at the parks), said Loeper via email.