|
Violent arrests are increasing, says Police Chief Jamison
By Carey King
Five to six stitches were required for a cut Assistant Sylva Police Chief Tammy Hooper received while arresting a Florida fugitive Dec. 14, Chief Jeff Jamison told Sylva Town Board members during their monthly meeting Jan. 6.
Hooper was treated at Harris Regional Hospital and released, Jamison said. The injury marks the department's third since October 2003, when Detective Shannon Ashe was shot and wounded during a standoff with Harold McVay. Ashe's bulletproof vest probably saved his life, Jamison said at the time of the incident.
Officer Aimee Sumner hurt her wrist two months ago in a case similar to Hooper's, Jamison said. A suspect resisted arrest, and Sumner was treated at the hospital and released.
The man who cut Hooper, David Power Ploden, 48, had been wanted in Florida on charges of home invasion and kidnapping, Jamison said. He was charged in Sylva with resisting, obstructing and delaying arrest, assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer, and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.
Assaults on officers are increasing, Jamison said, and with that, the likelihood of more injuries.
"I can certainly speak to the fact that people are becoming more and more violent during arrests," he said.
Jamison attributes the increasing violence primarily to drug use, though illegal substances were not a factor in the Hooper assault.
Fatal accidents
The chief also expressed concern to Sylva leaders over the fact that the stretch of U.S. Business 23 in front of Mark Watson Park has now been the site of two fatal accidents.
Seventeen months ago, Eddie Marie Gibson of Whittier was killed in a head-on collision when a vehicle crossed the centerline and struck her car. Two weeks ago, 16-year-old Brandon Wilson of Sylva died when his truck went left of center and struck a tree.
"We have not been able to find any contributing cause for either accident. It's a straight stretch of highway," said Jamison, adding that he doesn't think the road in particular is the problem.
"Any time you have (multiple fatalities) in the same place, I think it pays to look at the road," he said.
Jamison said that he will ask traffic engineers from the N.C. Department of Transportation to look into the matter.
Trouble island
There continues to be a problem with the traffic island on West Main Street near the foot of the Courthouse steps, Jamison said.
Accidents have occurred there involving traffic from both directions, he said, even though DOT workers gave the barrier a reflective coating in December.
One of the mishaps happened when a vehicle in Mill Street's left-turn-only lane traveled straight ahead and struck the island, said town Manager Richard McHargue.
DOT engineers have also been asked to look into this problem, McHargue said. Jamison said he hopes the island will become more visible to drivers once new shrubbery is planted there.
|
