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CHARLOTTE, NC – Chester County Sheriff Alex Underwood is says there are gang threats against his life and the people he protects.
Now, he wants more deputies on the streets, but the county says it’s strapped for cash.
“How many more people have to be shot at? How many more neighborhoods have to have gun shots going off? How many people have to be killed?” said Sheriff Alex Underwood.
Underwood says only five to six deputies are patrolling at night across the county.
Underwood is asking for about $400,000 dollars to pay salaries for four new deputies and new squad cars and equipment for those additional deputies. He also wants full-time gang investigators to help fight gang violence.
“The money is not available right now,” said County Supervisor Carlisle Roddey.
Instead, Council Member Brad Jordan motioned to create a task force.
“We are going to have a task force to look into and research what exactly needs to be done fight violent crimes and gang activity in Chester county,” said Jordan.
Council members voted to pass Jordan’s motion.
The sheriff’s request for more deputies comes a month after the murder of Chester City Councilman Odell Williams, which Underwood says is gang-related.
“They think gang members are not rolling through their neighborhood but I can promise you that as soon as something happens in their neighborhood, you’ll start seeing money showing up,” said Underwood.
Roddey says he doesn’t expect the council to make a decision before February, when the new budget session begins.
