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Public commenter alleges Buncombe County sheriff misconduct during post-storm response
Summary
Kenneth Buckner told the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners he volunteered after Hurricane Helene and alleges a detective told him he could not direct traffic because he lacked certification, calling it a "very serious police misconduct story." No response was recorded at the meeting.
At the Feb. 17 Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meeting, Kenneth Buckner used the public comment period to allege misconduct by the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office during recovery operations after Hurricane Helene.
Buckner, who identified himself as a lifelong Western North Carolina resident, described volunteering to help direct traffic at the Patton Cove/Exit 59 recovery center on Oct. 5 and returning Oct. 7. He said a Buncombe County sheriff's vehicle pulled up and that "detective Christopher Morrow said that unless you're certified we can't let you do this." Buckner said he viewed the interaction as a serious police misconduct matter and told the board he intended to return to speak further.
The chair interrupted when Buckner's time expired and no member of the sheriff's office responded during the meeting. The allegation was made during public comment and no formal action, investigation update or response from law enforcement was recorded in the meeting minutes provided in the transcript.
Because the statement is an allegation made in public comment, it is unverified in the meeting record. The meeting transcript does not record any denial, corroboration or staff-direction to investigate; as a result, the claim is unresolved in the meeting record.
