Allegations of sexual harassment have been shaking up the Oak Island Police Department.
Four officers, including a sergeant have resigned in the past week.
Today, WWAY spoke with many residents who are concerned for their safety.
Summer is the busiest time of year for Oak Island. The population goes from about 7,000 to more than 30,000.
According to the department, they only had about 30 employees before the resignations.
Oak Island resident Keni Lariviere said, "As a community we're going to be concerned because we're going to be down several officers to address emergency situations."
Oak Island mayor Johnie Vereen said this sort of turnover is standard, and that Oak Island is as safe as it has ever been.
time to be clear
First of all, 4 "officers" did not resign in one week. 2 officers and 2 dispatchers. The communicatioins has lost a cover shift of each rotation so they are not short. Patrol is assigned 4 officers per shift. Each shift has 3 now and 2 people are in field training so they are only short 2 people on the road. The media only likes to report the negative aspects of what is going on. For the residents of Oak Island, rest assured the officers at the department are keeping their heads up and doing their job. The island is fine. Tourist season is almost over and the officers are handling it fine. Vereen is correct in one thing, the island is as safe now as it ever was. This is not the first time road partol has been 2 officers short and no one ever knew it. I am just waiting for the whole truth to finally come out. A lot of chief bashers are going to be shocked.
Fozbot 98
You seem to do a whole lot of replying to the public safety matters in Brunswick County. If you know so much about what is going on, step up to the plate and start fixing things. And if you know the truth, share it. It might resolve this whole mess. Im somewhat led to believe you seem to know what is going on if think the Chief bashers are going to be shocked. So, lets here it. Lets nip this thing.
Concerned
First of all let me say that I am a full time resident of Oak Island. I have a family that I truly love and admire, I am afraid for their safety with all of the officers that are leaving. Who's replacing them? What's going to happen the town is going to have over worked and stressed out officers which will also lead to more resignantions, This is not a typical turnover rate for any police department especially for the size of the department. This isn't Raleigh. I think the town council members know that this isn't typical. When Johnny Vereen said that he is a liar and he knows it. Not only is the department is short for tourist season but also hurricane season. Let's hope that the individuals who decided to cover up this conspirarcy isn't in charge of emergency prepardness if so we might have a situation like in New Orleans. I think we as citizens need to look into this and demand answers.
Fog and Smoke and Mirrors
Johnny Vereen lives in another world if he thinks four officers resigning in ONE WEEK is normal. That is almost 15% of the force, in the busiest time of the year. Time to send Johnny back to the auto parts store.
Oak Island Mayor and Police Chief
Wow, now I am sure that the mayor is as stupid and incompetent as the police chief. How can Oak Island be as safe, when you now only have 4 911 operators to cover 365 days a year, 24 hours a day? 3 police offices have left and 4 more are on their way out...BUT OAK ISLAND IS AS SAFE AS EVERY? Well in that case let's not waste tax payer money by hiring anyone to replace those that have left. THE MAYOR, THE POLICE CHIEF, THE MAJOR AND LT FRINK NEED TO HIT THE ROAD.