Category: Public Safety

Bladen County, Education, News, Public Safety

Parents question schools after Bladen County bus driver accused of multiple sex crimes

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org Some Bladen County parents say the school district should have done more to protect students from a school bus driver who is accused of sexually assaulting several young girls.    The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office began investigating on April 10 after a student told a school employee she was sexually assaulted by David Earl Denkins on the bus on the way to …Read more Continue reading Parents question schools after Bladen County bus driver accused of multiple sex crimes

Rachel Baldauf
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Columbus County, Public Safety

Whiteville’s new gunshot sensors have been rejected by some other cities

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org When the small southeastern North Carolina town of Whiteville decided to install sensors to detect gunshots, the police chief said the devices would allow officers to respond more quickly to emergencies and ease residents’ fears. But some other law enforcement agencies that have turned to the technology quickly abandoned it.  Flock Safety is expected to install between 20 and 30 sensors …Read more Continue reading Whiteville’s new gunshot sensors have been rejected by some other cities

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Bladen County, Columbus County, Public Safety, Robeson County, Scotland County

At least 37 homicides recorded in NC’s Border Belt in first six months of 2024

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  At least 37 people, including four children, have died in homicides in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties so far this year, according to an analysis by the Border Belt Independent. Robeson County has seen at least 25 homicides since Jan. 1. Scotland County has reported at least 8 homicides this year, and Columbus and Bladen counties have both reported at …Read more Continue reading At least 37 homicides recorded in NC’s Border Belt in first six months of 2024

Rachel Baldauf
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Public Safety, Robeson County

North Carolina sheriff promises transparency. Is ‘On Patrol: Live’ the way to get it?

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  Robeson County sheriff’s deputy Donel McCallum approaches the passenger side door of a car he’s pulled over. It’s nighttime, and the blue and white flashing lights from his patrol vehicle illuminate the scene. “Hey look boss. Just turn that way and it won’t be in your damn face, all right?” McCallum tells the man in the passenger seat before ordering him …Read more Continue reading North Carolina sheriff promises transparency. Is ‘On Patrol: Live’ the way to get it?

Rachel Baldauf
Judge's gavel on a desk. Sticky post
Education, Public Safety, Scotland County

Former St. Andrews student serving more than 23 years for on-campus sexual assaults

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org A former St. Andrews University student-athlete accused of sexually assaulting three women on campus in 2022 and 2023 was sentenced to serve more than 23 years in prison.  Mison Mickle, 24, pleaded guilty in March to four felony counts of sex offenses and failure to register as a sex offender. The Border Belt Independent recently learned of Mickle’s conviction and sentencing …Read more Continue reading Former St. Andrews student serving more than 23 years for on-campus sexual assaults

Sarah NagemSarah Nagem
A sign for Scotland Correctional Institution in North Carolina. Sticky post
Public Safety, Scotland County

Stabbings bring renewed scrutiny to Scotland Correctional Institution

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org Two stabbings in less than a month at Scotland Correctional Institution in Laurinburg have brought renewed scrutiny to the prison that has been plagued with reports of mistreatment, unsafe conditions and overcrowding.  The most recent incident, on April 30, resulted in the death of 39-year-old Christopher Michael Edwards, who was found in a common area with multiple stab wounds. He died …Read more Continue reading Stabbings bring renewed scrutiny to Scotland Correctional Institution

Rachel Baldauf
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Public Safety, Robeson County

Robeson County residents want to create a safer community. But how?

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  It’s been 1,214 days since Stephanie Minnigan-Judd got a good night’s sleep. Her son, Tahleel, was just 25 when he was shot and killed in Robeson County in December 2020. Nearly three and a half years later, the man charged in the case has not gone on trial.  “The things that go on in this county are just unimaginable,” she said. …Read more Continue reading Robeson County residents want to create a safer community. But how?

Avatar photoBen Rappaport
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Public Safety

At UNC Pembroke, frustrations about safety reach fever pitch following shootings

By Rachel Baldauf  rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  Their faces illuminated by electric candlelight, students at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke wept as they gathered for the second time in less than a month to remember a friend who was shot and killed.  Cameron Taylor, 22, was killed in a March 2 mass shooting when a fight broke out at The Commons at Pembroke, an off-campus apartment …Read more Continue reading At UNC Pembroke, frustrations about safety reach fever pitch following shootings

Rachel Baldauf
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Bladen County, Columbus County, Public Safety, Robeson County, Scotland County

Homicides in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties in 2024

The Border Belt Independent is tracking homicides in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties in southeastern North Carolina. The map will be updated each week using information from local law enforcement agencies and media reports. Click on the pins within the map for details. Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties typically record violent crime rates that exceed statewide figures. When asked what contributes to the …Read more Continue reading Homicides in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties in 2024

Border Belt Independent