By Gene Galin
Pittsboro, NC – Chatham County, North Carolina, is rapidly evolving from a rural haven to a suburban hub. With this growth comes unique challenges in maintaining public safety, as highlighted by Sheriff Mike Roberson during his talk at the 79 West breakfast on November 5. Sheriff Roberson discussed the county’s needs, including expanding law enforcement resources, addressing community misconceptions, and fostering public confidence.
In his remarks, Sheriff Roberson painted a picture of a county at a crossroads—balancing its celebrated low crime rate with the strain of under-resourced law enforcement stretched across sprawling rural and suburban areas.
The Reality of Response Times and Resource Gaps
Sheriff Roberson opened the second part of his breakfast talk with a stark statistic: Chatham County deputies have an average response time of nine minutes for emergencies and 11 minutes for non-emergencies. While faster than local ambulance services, these times reveal the limitations faced by a department covering vast areas with minimal staffing.
“One deputy is responsible for 20,000 residents across 140 square miles at night,” Roberson explained. In comparison, municipalities within the county may have one officer for every 2,500 residents. Despite this disparity, the sheriff’s office continues to maintain a commendably low crime rate.
However, Roberson likened the situation to a smoke detector going off—not an immediate fire, but a clear warning. “We need to grow with the community,” he urged. The expansion of suburban neighborhoods like Briar Chapel, Fearrington Village, and Governor’s Club underscores the urgency of this need, with some areas rivaling the population of local towns yet receiving zero dedicated deputies.
Supporting Youth: The Role of Student Resource Officers (SROs)
Another critical gap lies in the schools. While Chatham County boasts 11 Student Resource Officers (SROs), the sheriff acknowledged this falls far short of the county’s 24 schools. “We prioritize placing SROs in true high schools and middle schools, splitting them among K-8 schools where possible,” Roberson said.
These officers do more than ensure safety—they serve as mentors and resources for students. Still, the shortage limits their effectiveness. “We need more SROs to keep up with the growth in our student population,” Roberson emphasized, noting that such investments would benefit students and foster safer learning environments.
Accountability and Accreditation: Building Public Confidence
Roberson also highlighted efforts to build trust through transparency and accountability. The sheriff’s office recently completed a rigorous process to achieve national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
“This process is about proving we do what we say we’re going to do,” Roberson explained. After a year and a half of preparation, the office received a glowing review with no deficiencies—a rare feat for a first-time applicant.
Another layer of accountability comes from the universal use of body cameras by all deputies and detention staff. “It’s not just about protecting the public—it’s about protecting our officers too,” Roberson said. The cameras have improved behavior among inmates, reduced complaints, and provided valuable training opportunities.
A Community-Centered Approach to Safety
One of the sheriff’s office’s hallmarks is its focus on community engagement. Programs like the STAR Academy (Sheriff’s Training Academy for Residents) offer citizens an inside look at law enforcement operations, from ride-alongs with deputies to tours of detention facilities.
The department also launched a Rising Star program for high school students, tailored to provide similar experiences while ensuring safety and age-appropriate activities.
For Sheriff Roberson, these programs are essential to fostering mutual understanding. “Many people move here without knowing what a sheriff’s office does,” he said. “These programs help bridge that gap and build lasting relationships.”
Growth Challenges: Hiring and Retention
As Chatham County grows, so does the demand for law enforcement. However, Roberson noted that hiring and training new deputies is a lengthy process. Even after securing budget approval, it takes about a year to recruit, train, and deploy a deputy.
“We’re about 40 deputies short of where we should be,” Roberson admitted. To address this, he proposed a phased hiring plan: adding 10 deputies annually over four years, adjusted for growth rates.
The sheriff also stressed the importance of attracting the right candidates. “We hire people who like people,” he said, emphasizing the need for compassionate and community-focused officers.
Animal Services and Other Responsibilities
Beyond traditional law enforcement, the sheriff’s office also oversees animal services—a task that has grown exponentially. In the past year alone, deputies responded to thousands of animal-related calls, ranging from loose livestock to potential rabies cases.
“Our deputies are often first on the scene for everything, whether it’s a stray dog or a cow in the road,” Roberson noted. While a new animal shelter built in 2019 helped, staffing shortages have hampered its effectiveness.
Infrastructure Needs: Substations and Beyond
One of the sheriff’s top priorities is establishing a new substation in the county’s rapidly growing northeast corridor. With communities like Briar Chapel growing at unprecedented rates, the need for a localized law enforcement presence has become critical.
“Right now, we have zero deputies assigned specifically to Briar Chapel, despite its population exceeding 8,000,” Roberson said.
The proposed substation is part of the county’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), but funding and timelines remain uncertain.
A Call to Action
Sheriff Mike Roberson’s remarks at the 79 West breakfast underscored a pivotal moment for Chatham County. As growth accelerates, so does the need for proactive measures to maintain public safety and quality of life.
Roberson’s message was clear: investing in law enforcement now is essential to prevent future crises. From hiring more deputies to expanding community programs and building infrastructure, the county must act decisively to keep pace with its evolving needs.
For residents, the sheriff extended an invitation to engage: participate in the STAR Academy, consider volunteering, or simply share feedback—whether through the sheriff’s office app or in person.