Sheriff's office asks Indian Trail for three additional positions amid rising traffic incidents

A representative of the sheriff's office presented year-to-date public-safety statistics and requested the town consider adding three positions under the contract for services: a traffic sergeant dedicated to traffic enforcement oversight and two additional deputies to cover mid-shift hours.

Statistics and enforcement focus: The sheriff's office representative said the department saw declines in serious violent crimes (murders down 100% year-to-year in the town's small baseline) and drops in rape and robbery rates, while traffic accidents increased and calls for service fell 6.8%. He highlighted proactive traffic enforcement activities, including identifying hundreds of fictitious license tags in the county and recent related arrests in town.

Staffing request and budget impact: The representative said the three requested positions would strengthen traffic enforcement and coverage during peak hours and asked the council to include them in the FY26 contract discussions. He framed the ask as: "I'm asking for those 3 folks," noting the positions were intended to support traffic detail, supervision and mid-shift coverage. Finance staff told the council they had estimated a 7% increase in the county contract figure until final numbers arrive from the county.

Contract structure: Council staff clarified that most costs for the sheriff contract are covered by the county invoice for deputies and sergeants and that the town pays its share; the contract covers deputy wages, training, vehicles and equipment. The sheriff's representative also noted the town supports the sheriff's building next door and pays related utilities and facility costs.

Next steps: Final compensation and contract figures depend on the county budget and the town's decisions about whether to fund additional positions. Staff said they would return with precise cost estimates once the county provided final contract figures.