WPD works to increase officer retention; County commissioner calls on Sheriff to assist in downtown crime

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — As crowds head downtown this weekend for the North Carolina Azalea Festival, the Wilmington Police Department says it is increasing the number of officers patrolling the area.

The move comes as concerns persist following recent violent incidents that shook the city’s nightlife earlier this week, including two Easter Sunday stabbings downtown.

City leaders and police officials say they are working on several efforts to address safety concerns, including improving officer retention and increasing pay to attract more recruits.

“The violence needs to stop, it has to stop,” Wilmington City Council member Chakema Clinton-Quintana said. “I need for everyone to just take a pause and really think about this. It doesn’t solve anything.”

Clinton-Quintana also raised concerns about public safety following a recent officer-involved shooting in a downtown parking deck. The incident prompted protests and renewed scrutiny of the department and Police Chief Ryan Zuidema.

Zuidema said his officers are using outdated 12 gauge shotguns and requested patrol rifles.

“We are routinely seeing criminals in this community and across the country who have fire power that exceeds what we have,” Zuidema said.

City council later withdrew that request, citing timing concerns in the aftermath of the shooting.

Meanwhile, the department continues to face staffing challenges. Officials say there are 65 vacancies within the police force.

City Manager Becky Hawke recently presented a proposed pay increase to city leaders, which would raise starting officer salaries from about $52,000 to more than $62,000 annually.

Officials say increasing staffing levels could help prevent crime, but Zuidema emphasized that keeping downtown safe also requires cooperation from the community and local businesses, especially during late-night hours.

“If they have somebody in their business that is being disorderly or causing problems, we encourage them to call us so we can come address it and deal with that before it turns into worse,” he said.

Former police chief and attorney Michael Rinaldi, who now trains departments for Lexipol, said officers are often forced to make split-second decisions in tense situations.

“But when you are forced to make that split second decision and it may not have been based on the limited information you had, turns out to be the wrong decision, you aren’t a hero,” Rinaldi said.

New Hanover County Commissioner Dane Scalise has also called on the sheriff’s office to assist Wilmington police in addressing violence downtown.