New police chief's vision for Glen Alpine sparks debate over costs, safety

Kirk Penley was fully aware that as Glen Alpine’s newest police chief he would inherit a department that was short staffed and lacked the critical technologies used in modern policing. He was also determined to restructure the department to secure the safety of the town for the future.

On Nov. 4, less than a month in as chief, Penley laid out his ambitious vision to the Glen Alpine Board of Aldermen. It sparked both support and skepticism from town leaders.

In a PowerPoint presentation displayed on large flat-screen television in Town Hall, Penley detailed his plan. He was supported by Capt. Shane Trull, the only other full-time police officer currently on staff, Greg Snider, a reserve officer who serves as training coordinator, and Laura Dopp, a reserve officer who leads efforts to secure grants and updating policies and procedures.

“My vision is ensuring our department is responsive to the needs of our residents and to fulfill our mission of 24/7 coverage over the next two years,” Penley told the elected leaders adding the department would be “officer-oriented and community-centered.”

The details:

• Employ 10 full-time police officers to provide 24/7 coverage.
• Make compensation more competitive.
• Develop a workforce survey and policy to track data and support grant-seeking efforts for the department’s reconstruction.
• Promote Shane Trull to the captain position to establish a foundation for criminal investigation practices.
• Build relationships with local schools.
• Create a dedicated website to keep the community informed on the progress of the department’s restructuring.
• Conduct regular meetings with the community to gather feedback and insights for developing strategies to foster collaboration between officers and residents.

But bold plans come with big price tags, and not everyone was on board. There were questions about whether the small, western Burke County town could afford the changes.

The pushback:

“I just don’t know how the people of this town is going to afford all of this,” said Alderman Reid Scott immediately after the chief concluded his formal presentation.

What followed was a back-and-forth with Scott providing examples of how officers fail to address traffic violations and Penley explaining how the lack of manpower makes such coverage impossible.

Scott wasn’t the only alderman to have something to say on the subject.

• Alderman Luke Boone: Inquired about cost analysis and funding sources.
• Alderman Jim Frady: “I think anybody in this room knows that I’m very pro-police. … I do believe in a two-year window, a lot is going to change in this area, regardless of whether citizens want it or not, because with the megasite coming. … I would hate to be the person in charge of the town that says that we cannot provide an adequate Police Department for the new citizens coming.”
• Alderman Jason Miller: Recalled campaigning for the seat. Residents told him they wanted 24-hour police coverage, but no one was in favor of a tax increase to pay for it. “Everyone wants heaven. Nobody wants death,” he said.

Since no action was required, the meeting adjourned after the presentation.

Afterward, Penley and his fellow officers walked out on Town Hall’s front porch, which offered an ideal spot to decompress. Tension lingered in the unseasonably warm air.

Now the police chief is gearing up for the December meeting, which he said may include a discussion on compensatory time and overtime pay. The issue is particularly sensitive now because last week the chief was told to reduce staff hours. He was limited to working a maximum of 60 hours; Trull couldn’t work more than 40.

During the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, he and Trull were approved to work overtime with funds sourced from FEMA.

OFFICER SAFETY CONCERNS

Police work, however, is not something done solely for pay. Law enforcement is a calling. And under current fiscal constraints, Trull and Penley can’t provide 24/7 police coverage. Even when they are on shift, residents may not see them on patrol. A leading reason for that boils down to technology.

The patrol cars in Glen Alpine lack onboard computers commonly used in other municipalities. This hampers public safety because Glen Alpine’s officers cannot submit violations electronically. The manual paperwork pulls officers off the streets instead of staying visible in the community. They are relegated to keying information into an antiquated system back at Town Hall.

Being behind with technology also impacts officer safety. They cannot run license plates before making a stop. When a Glen Alpine officer walks toward a stopped vehicle, they typically don’t know whether the car is reported stolen or whether the registered owner is wanted in another jurisdiction.

“We call (the tag) into county dispatch, but depending on how busy they are, it can take a while to get that information,” said Trull. “It’s no fault of theirs, but they can’t always get us the information quickly.”

Glen Alpine also doesn’t have the communication software that ties in with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, which inhibits coordination between the agencies.

“When responding to a call, I can see where (sheriff deputies) are, but they can’t see me,” Penley said.

When asked why the vehicles have not been outfitted with modern policing tools, Penley rubbed his index finger and thumb together — money. And priorities.

The Board of Alderman recently lowered Glen Alpine’s property tax rate from 29 cents to 27 cents per $100 assessed valuation. For comparison, Drexel’s rate is 35 cents. This reduction of revenue makes it less likely that Glen Alpine’s cars will be updated or that the Police Department housed in Town Hall can be made more secure. Not without grants anyway.

All of that worries Chief Penley. A decade ago, the department had a few full-time officers supported by a full stable of active reserve officers. That’s not the case now. Other than Penley and Trull, only one reserve officer is available now.

“We can’t depend on reserves like we could before,” the chief said. “They all have full-time jobs elsewhere.”

He is hopeful he will have another person on staff in the new year. The experienced officer is in the final stages of passing multiple background checks. Once on board, he’ll first work with Trull during the night shift to better learn about the community and the roads. The goal is to eventually get to enough officers so they can provide backup for each other when a call goes sideways as the Burke County Sheriff’s Office is already stretched thin, he said.

“This is about officer safety,” he said. “I don’t want officers working by themselves.”

Penley will continue to chip away at his overall vision for the department. The Board of Aldermen next meets on Monday, Dec. 9. Penley said he’ll be attending every month to convince town leaders that his vision is not only achievable but also essential for Glen Alpine’s future.