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Deputy reports high patrol activity, flags radio dead zone after on-duty injury
Summary
Union County contract deputy reported more than 1,000 preventative patrols in January and urged residents to use residential-check forms; deputies also raised concerns about radio dead zones after an officer was injured during an incident where radio coverage failed.
Weddington — A Union County contract deputy updated the Town Council Feb. 9 on traffic enforcement and neighborhood patrols and warned of a communications gap after an on-duty deputy sustained injuries while in a radio dead zone.
Deputy Pler reported more than 1,000 preventive patrols for January, 88 traffic stops and a drop in reported fraud incidents compared with December. He encouraged residents to use the sheriff office’s free residential-check program when out of town.
Council members and deputies then discussed a recent altercation in which an officer was injured and officers could not summon immediate help because of a cellular/radio dead zone in the area. The injured deputy suffered a broken hand while backup was delayed; the council said the issue highlights the need to identify coverage gaps and adjust deployment or equipment as necessary.
Council recognized the safety concern and noted staffing adjustments to cover the injured deputy. Deputies asked residents to report suspicious contacts and to use the town’s residential-check form before extended absences.
