Sharpsburg swears in new police chief

The town of Sharpsburg has a new police chief.

Sara Wiggins, a 23-year law enforcement veteran, was sworn into office Friday by N.C. Superior Court Judge Tony Brown in Sharpsburg’s town hall meeting room. More than 100 law enforcement officials from the N.C. Highway Patrol and Nash, Edgecombe and Wilson County Sheriff’s offices attended.

Wiggins said the town is positioned between three counties and poses difficulties to officers who need to get to certain locations throughout town. Citizens can help Sharpsburg police officers get a leg up on crime, Wiggins said.

“By working together, we can turn challenges into opportunities,” Wiggins said. “We need the eyes and ears of citizens to become more proficient in our work.”

Wiggins replaces former Police Chief B.C. Bissette, who resigned from his post earlier this month. The search for a new police chief began in August, starting with 15 candidates.

Wiggins holds a bachelor’s degree in Correctional Services/Law Enforcement from East Carolina University. She got her start in law enforcement in 1985 as a patrol officer with the Kinston Police Department.

She also has served as a child social worker for Nash and Orange counties and has taught various courses in basic law enforcement. Wiggins previously served as division commander for the Nash County Sheriff’s Office from 1995 until June.

Maintaining a low crime rate and using various prevention programs are a few key goals for Wiggins.

Wiggins also said she wants to work with the new Board of Commissioners on vital town projects. The town is looking at opportunities that could lead to growth, both residential and commercial, and Wiggins said low crime could attract businesses and developers to town.

Wiggins’ appointment makes a total of eight officers to the department. Two positions were added in early October through state grants. This puts the department in line with the national average of three officers per 1,000 residents, Wiggins said.

She said her department also will look for additional grants to fund equipment needs. But the department probably will not increase officers until the town’s population grows, Wiggins said.

A sense of community also is something Wiggins said she hopes to restore to the small town of 2,500.

Wiggins said police officials will work with residents and businesses to organize community watch programs and PACT (Police and Community Together) programs to prevent crime and to keep citizens aware of any crime trends in the area.

These programs allow residents to get to know each other, look out for each other and take pride and ownership in the town, Wiggins said.

Wiggins, a Durham native, has lived in Sharpsburg for 23 years and said her appointment makes her position personal, not just professional.

One resident said they are pleased to see an official of Wiggins’ stature take office, and said she needs to start work quickly to address pertinent needs.

“We want to make certain the people in charge are going to stand by their word and not just have a title,” said Shirley Thigpen, a 21-year Sharpsburg resident who said she lives across the street from Wiggins.

“There are so many things going uncovered. (Police) need to make themselves known to all of the neighborhoods, not after a serious crime happens,” she said.