When Antoinette Locklear-Hurtt became the Red Springs police chief in January, town leaders encouraged her to boost the department’s morale and gain the community’s trust by being transparent.
Nearly right away, she said, she hired more officers. She painted the walls within the police station in silvers and earthy tones and bought new furniture in hopes of creating a welcoming space for staff and visitors.
Locklear-Hurtt also launched a podcast to keep residents informed about what was happening in the Robeson County town, which has a population of about 3,000. The project’s 10 episodes since February were viewed more than 3 million times, according to Fayetteville City News, which recorded them.
To Locklear-Hurtt, the podcast’s popularity reflected residents’ interest in local affairs–and proved that law enforcement agencies can find new ways to build rapport with the communities they serve.
“I was teaching people about law. I was addressing issues with the town,” Locklear-Hurtt told the Border Belt Independent on Monday. “The people began to love it.”
But Town Manger Shanelle Harris ended the podcast on June 4, saying it did not comply with the town’s “communication protocols.” Locklear-Hurtt resigned eight days later, on June 12.
Locklear-Hurtt told the BBI that she quit because she thought Harris was going to fire her, and she was frustrated by what she saw as government overreach.
Now some residents say they are angry and frustrated that Locklear-Hurtt is gone. Dozens of people attended a community-organized meeting on Monday to express their concerns. David Swan, who lives in the town, started petitions calling for Harris to resign or be fired and for Locklear-Hurtt to be reinstated as chief. He said he collected several pages of signatures.
“I’m a concerned citizen, and this community needs to be changed,” Willie Mae Cobb, 64, who said she has lived in Red Springs her whole life, told the crowd during the meeting.
Harris, who did not respond to the BBI’s request for comment on Monday and did not attend the meeting, also faces criticism for the town’s handling of the Red Springs Rescue Squad. The town sent the agency a letter June 10 informing it to vacate town-owned property by July 1.
Red Springs took over ownership of the squad’s facility on Fourth Avenue about six years ago because the organization was experiencing financial trouble, the Red Springs Rescue Squad said in a Facebook post. The squad has remained there ever since.
Recently, according to the post, the town expressed interest in bringing the agency under its control. Rescue leaders “submitted proposals, attended meetings, and attempted to find common ground” for a potential partnership, the post says, adding: “We came to the table willing to negotiate and cooperate. Unfortunately, shortly after those discussions, we were served with an eviction notice.”
Lennox Snow, director of the Red Springs Rescue Squad, said the group is trying to figure out next steps. “We have a lot to decide, and we have a lot to do,” he said.
Locklear-Hurtt, who has served in law enforcement for two decades, said Harris is not acting in the town’s best interest. “It’s her way or the highway,” she said.
On the town’s Facebook page, Harris said her decision to end the podcast “should not be interpreted as a reflection on the professionalism, performance, or value of the Red Springs Police Department or any particular individual.”
“The Town remains committed to providing residents with accurate and timely information through official communication channels,” Harris said. “We also remain open to exploring opportunities for positive public engagement that align with municipal policies and support our collective mission of serving the citizens of Red Springs.”
But Locklear-Hurtt said she believes Harris ended the podcastwhen she refused to show her a video recorded by a police officer’s body-worn camera. Under North Carolina law, residents who want access to such footage must get permission from a judge.
“(Harris) basically said, ‘Well, your podcast is done. I want it canceled,’” Locklear-Hurtt recalled.
Locklear-Hurtt said she agreed to end the podcast but it became more clear that Harris wanted her out. She said she resigned because she was worried the town would taint her reputation.
No one expected the podcast, which featured videos posted to social media, to gain traction so quickly. During some episodes, Locklear-Hurtt addressed questions from viewers and introduced the department’s officers. Sometimes she visited downtown businesses.
In one video viewed more than 50,000 times on Facebook, she chatted with the owner, employees, and customers of Brown’s Hardware. “Y’all got something to say about Brown’s? Is it a good store? The best store in town?” she asked.
“Yes, you know it,” a woman behind the store’s counter replied.
Ronnie Patterson, who serves as the mayor’s pro tem, attended the meeting on Monday but did not address residents’ concerns.
“I”m not here to take sides,” he said. “I’m here to listen and see what the community has to say.”
Locklear-Hurtt said she was proud of what she built within the 15-officer police department, and it pained her to resign. She said she was willing to return–if Harris leaves.
She also said she was “overwhelmed with love” from the community and her colleagues.
“I am proud of them,” Locklear-Hurtt said. “They are standing up for what they believe.”