Thieves break in to eight Leland businesses

I am a Police Officer but I don’t work for Leland. To start with Leland Police is like any other agency; they all have pros and cons. I have worked hand in hand with Leland Police on many occasions and with other northern Police depts. of Brunswick County. They are a great department and they are still growing. You and I are the same I pay taxes just as you, but when it comes to a gas guzzler as many of you have stated, let me just say there are reasons for those high powered machines. Now reason one you don’t like the police - we can write you a ticket, take you to jail and tow your vehicle. Yes this is true but you have to earn that, we don’t just give those away. Now that pink pick of paper that you receive from county or local officers that says cost of court on it, hey you what a percentage of that money goes to what ever town or agency your are wrote by. So you say stay off 17 and 74/76 and I say, slow down. You want a reason for those high powered machines here’s one for you, I evening I responded to a officer that wasn’t answering his radio off Mount Misery rd. come to find out that officer wasn’t answering his radio due to a wreck where someone had hit him on the drivers side door and he was unaware of his surroundings. Here is another one, one evening I met a 74 year old grandmother of 6 that was a widow and stayed by herself because she had called 911 and someone was breaking into her home, she was so afraid we wouldn’t get there quick enough she got her late husbands pistol out of the dresser and locked herself in her bathroom. She was assisted and the subjects captured that evening. And one more for you, Boling Springs Lakes Police call for assistance due to a vehicle chase where the fleeing vehicle has rammed a Police car and assaulted a Police officer multiple times. Situation turns into chaos due to drugs and other factors of the fleeing driver. The driver was then arrested after she rammed two other vehicles and one of them head on. You sit there and do the whole Monday morning quarter backing for the Sunday night game and say things should and need to be different but what really needs to change is your support for your local county and state law enforcement officers. We go and risk of life everyday and yes we did chose our jobs but we don’t make enough money to justify loosing our life for you when you don’t even support us. You are fussing about the officers piled up at the local stores grabbing a drink, coffee, and doughnut whatever the case maybe and yet we work 14 plus hours a night only to be paid for 12. It’s nice to have someone to talk to from time to time when your working alone in your district or zone until your reliving shift comes in at 5-7 am. We don’t ask for a lot, but you could at least support your law enforcement officers that maintain the safety of the community by risking ours lives. Crime is everywhere, yes St. James I said everywhere. Just because you don’t see a cop in the area doesn’t mean there isn’t one there and just because you do see a cop with his side lights on near a business doesn’t mean something has happened. We are always here and ready for your call, but get off the kick about speeding and tickets because its better to catch them going to the business they want to break in on the highway than them not coming to this business because there is a officer there and slamming into the side of your vehicle. We see and we listen, all you have to do is support.

Lived in Leland "L A" for over 2 years and I have found them to be far superior to Wilmington Police. Their arrest and conviction rate is much higher than Wilmington cops as well.

As a long time resident of Leland I have noticed a decline in police presence in our shopping centers with the exception of Walmart. I wish they would go back to protecting all of us again! Yes we need to stop speeding and of course drunk drivers, however, not at the expense of others too! Our population is going up and unfortunately so is our crime... As a town, we need to look at all angles! I want to feel safe walking to my car at all shopping centers!!

grow up

well guess the officers in leland should know their limitations. but quite a lot of them don't, but its not all their fault,, a lot of the blame is on the supervisors,, perhaps they are not quite as up on all the changing that is taking plkace,, today do it,, tomorrow,, dont do it,, who knows. but one thing is for sure , one day the police that pulls a vehicle almost 4 /5 miles from the towns' limits are going to be in deep kaa-kaa. but thats them,, should know better find out the facts them selves dont rely on someone else,,

Some of you need to learn a few lessons before you post some of the silly comments I see here. 1. The chargers that LPD drive are V6 so they are more efficient than the V8 Crown Vics. 2. Yeah you're right the police should be out arresting the "real criminals". By the way, tell me who are the real criminals. Would it be the drunk driver that slams into your car and kills your family or would it be the speeder who runs the red light and hits you. No, No it couldn't be them...those are traffic offenses and you want the police to stay off of the highway. Your point about real criminals is ignorant and stupid. 3. Maybe you should come up with a schedule of when and where the police are allowed to eat. I'm certain that you don't take a break at your job to get a drink or to eat lunch. You're probably too hard of a worker to do that. The police are people just like you and they also are entitled to a break. 4. Before you start worrying about where the Leland Police jurisdiction ends maybe you should learn a little about the law. Their jurisdiction doesn't end at the city limits moron. Know what you are talking about before you say stupid things. 5. The Leland Police cars are not on loaner. The Town bought those cars. Some were purchased on a grant. One of you is complaining about the police gars being "gas guzzlers" and another is saying that they need faster cars. Make up your mind. 6. As for all the officers needing a course in courtsey, have you spoken to all the police officers in Leland? My guess is no. So then why are you judging an entire police department from an experience that you had with one officer. Thats no different than you judging an entire race based on one encounter. That as well is ignorant. Finally, why don't you find something better to do than bash the police. These guys are out here working when you are home sleeping with your wife or whatever. They are out here on holidays, away from their families, while you are celebrating with yours. Instead of bashing them how about you say thank you for everything they do four you everyday. If the Leland Police are such a joke then don't call them next time you need help.

As a citizen of the Town of Leland, I found that it is a great place to live and raise a family. I feel that like everywhere else, Leland is not perfect but still is a great place to live. The police department may not be perfect but it is having to keep up with several growing problems brought on by rapid growth. There are total 30 officers currently employed by the town who at last count has 10-15 thousand people that they have to service. I ask that you consider the totallity of the current situation concerning the town before you voice your opinion. The way you do that is you attend the public town council meetings on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 700 pm. I also ask if you see a problem please help US to fix it. DONT be part of the problem.

The persons responsible for breaking into the businesses listed above were arrested within 72 hours of the break-ins........and the majority of the stolen property was recovered. Hmm...sounds like Leland's Police might actually know what they're doing afterall. All municipal police agenices have investigative and arrest authority for all NC offenses (criminal and traffic) within their jurisdictions (obviously) plus one mile from the farthest point of their geographic boundaries. Its called "extraterritorial jurisdiction". Incidentally...No state troopers released any one stopped by a leland police officer. While they possess state-wide jurisdiction, they do not possess the specific authority to release someone detained by a local law enforcement officer. Not all of the vehicles purchased by Leland were from a GHSP Grant. In fact, all of the Dodge Chargers, except one, were purchased with the approval of the elected council. One was purchased on a grant. I would correct the remainder of the incorrect information here, but I have better things to do with my saturday morning.

Maybe the police should put down their radar guns and get off highway 17 & 74 and start looking for the real criminals. And no, I haven't received a ticket!

on any weekend night when crime is at it's highest....i have on several occassions seen every officer that leland has eating at antonios...and all at the SAME TIME and they stay for a while! no wonder crime is up.

the leland police need to spend more time looking for serious crimes rather than waste their time sitting at the local citgo sipping free cofee, i am amazed at the amount of police the town has and the amount of road blocks they have ..yet they still are having problems patrolling the small commercial area in the center of town .they are more concerned with traffic violations ,they need to be on foot patrol or bicycles in the commercial area instead of sitting in the brand new mustang and chargers they have .after all it is only a 35 mph in the town area no need to waste tax payers money on the gas guzzlers they have decided they must have .maybe the new council will straighten out ossy sanders their chief or get a new one