Future of the Navassa police department still up in the air

NAVASSA, NC (WWAY) — Following a special meeting held Thursday night, the town of Navassa is no closer to deciding on the future of its police department.

The town has been operating without a police department since May 5th, when the last of its 3 full-time officers turned in their equipment.

That move came a few weeks after Chief Dale Thomas resigned to become the chief of police for the city of Northwest.

Thursday night, Navassa council members looked at a contract Northwest has with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.

The agreement makes deputies patrol the city during their off-hours.

But several council members voiced concerns about the council not meeting beforehand to come up with a potential contract that would fit with Navassa’s needs.

Councilwoman Ida Dixon said the spending might be too much.

“If you could not find the money to increase these officers’ salaries that left here, where are you going to find the money to meet the demand from the Sheriff’s department from the county?” Dixon asked.

According to Northwest’s contract, the city pays $40 an hour for 20 hours per week of additional support.

A workshop about possible items included in a contract between Navsssa and the Sheriff’s Office will be held during the town’s next budget workshop on June 3rd.