CHADBOURN/FAIR BLUFF, NC (WECT) - Police in Chadbourn and Fair Bluff say, violent crime between the two towns is on the rise.
"There's a crowd in Chadbourn you might as well say a gang in Chadbourn a gang in Fair Bluff have been fighting at West Columbus High School, fighting at Fair Bluff mostly now we're starting to fighting here as well," said Steven Shaw the police chief in Chadbourn.
Last year, 14 students from both towns were arrested and suspended after fighting at West Columbus High. But now, both chiefs fear violence between their towns is becoming more common.
"In the recent seven days, we've had a shooting where no one was shot. We feel it's combined problems with Fair Bluff and Chadbourn," said Shaw.
Through a mutual aid agreement, police in Harbor and Fair Bluff are forming a task force, which will allow officers from both towns to assist each other.
"It will not be an everyday ordeal, however when we do have special events, operations, our agencies will be teaming together to hit these high crime high targeted areas," said Justin Hewett the police chief in Fair Bluff.
"When someone, a stranger from another town comes in and enforces the law the locals don't know how to take it. So it's more of an intimidating factor for them not to know how these officers act," added Shaw.
Both chiefs say by working with other local, state, and federal agencies they've already arrested 10 people and shut down an illegal alcohol establishment.
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