Sheriff urges unity, rejects social‑media claims about homeless encampments after Helene

Haywood County’s sheriff opened the Board of Commissioners meeting with a direct rebuttal to what he called misleading social‑media accounts and a plea for unity in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene. He said deputies spent time searching for displaced families and that “our churches in this community came together” to provide short‑term housing and supplies.

The sheriff said his office found no people living in tents in locations that had been described online and urged residents to check facts before spreading content. “As sheriff of this county, when I was elected to this office, I was elected to tell the truth and to safeguard citizens in this county,” he said. He added that deputies had been “on the front line” and that local volunteers and churches had “closed the gap” while federal assistance was being processed.

Commissioners and the county manager echoed parts of the sheriff’s message during the meeting, acknowledging gaps in messaging and encouraging residents to provide names and addresses of people who still need help so county staff can follow up. The sheriff also cautioned volunteers and donors to coordinate with county staff to avoid inadvertent harm or duplicate efforts.

The exchange set the tone for an extended public‑comment period in which multiple residents, pastors and volunteer groups asked the board to accelerate temporary housing options and to relax zoning or permitting barriers where lawful.