UCSO discusses plan to take over patrol of Town of Wingate

WINGATE, NC — It’s a done deal. The Wingate Police Department’s days are numbered.

On Tuesday, we told you the Wingate Town Council voted to eliminate the police department to cut costs. Opting to pay the Union County Sheriff’s Office to patrol the town instead. What wasn’t clear in that meeting is what that will look like and when the change happens.

“Our hope is that once everything is settled and all logistics are worked out, that we will offer an enhanced service, that the residents will really be glad that they made that decision, said Lt. James Maye with the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

Lt. Maye says they are still working through logistics but expect the official transition to happen sometime in late September or early October. However, deputies have been patrolling the town for some time now.

“We already have a heavy presence in Wingate. The only thing we’re going to do is increase that presence,” explained Maye.

Maye says in the last two months Union County deputies have covered 21 shifts for the Wingate Police Department.

Maye tells WCCB the Sheriff and his deputies plan to continue building a relationship with residents, especially those against the change.

“We obviously know that we’ve got some community members that may or may not have wanted us there, but we feel certain that we’re going to be able to win them over through our time and tested public service,” Maye said.

Maye said the sheriff’s office appreciates the service of the Wingate officers and the sheriff has an open door for them to join the sheriff’s office. So far no Wingate officers have applied to be a deputy.