Anyone who has ever visited Myrtle Beach South Carolina knows that crimes – like underage drinking, drug use, noise violations, traffic violations, etc. – take place quite often on the Grand Strand.
Last week, however, was probably a bad time to commit any crimes out in the open because a slew of sheriffs from North Carolina were in town.
On the other hand, since they were all out of their jurisdictions, perhaps law violators vacationing at the popular South Carolina beach would have had nothing to worry about.
Besides, the sheriffs weren’t there to arrest people.
The gaggle of North Carolina sheriffs and their families were gathered together south of the border – along with other top-ranking sheriffs’ office personnel from across North Carolina – for the Association’s Annual Business Conference.
Founded in 1922, the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association is a statewide not-for-profit professional and educational organization with a membership that includes the state’s 100 sheriffs. Through the Association, sheriffs from across the state work in unison to strengthen the law enforcement profession and improve the services their offices provide to the people of North Carolina.
The Association also spends a lot of its time coming up with new legislation that’s helpful to law enforcement offices in the state and, then, attempting to get state legislators to vote those proposed laws into effect.
Each year at the business conference the top law enforcement officials attend training classes and panel discussions, and do some networking along with other helpful professional activities.
They also have some fun together when not engaged in business.
This year, training classes and panel discussions covered a variety of law enforcement issues, including the latest trends in the fentanyl crisis and the ways in which Mexican drug cartels are affecting our border issues.
Attendees of the event also had the chance to hear presentations from several guest speakers and attend various Association committee meetings.
The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association elects new officers each year at the Annual Business Conference, and, this year, the Association left the beach with its leadership for the upcoming 12 months in place.
Five North Carolina sheriffs were elected to new offices:
- President – Sheriff Mike Roberson, Chatham County
- First Vice President – Sheriff Ricky Buchanan, McDowell County
- Second Vice President – Sheriff Clee Atkinson, Edgecombe County
- Third Vice President – Sheriff Jeff Crisco, Stanly County
- Secretary – Sheriff Joey Lemons, Stokes County
The outgoing president, Sheriff Darren Campbell of Iredell County, will now transition into the role of chairman of the Association’s Executive Committee.
Sheriff Van Shaw of Cabarrus County was reelected as Treasurer.
Roberson, the organization’s new president, was thrilled to be the pick of the group.
“I am truly honored to have been elected by my peers to serve as President of the Association,” Roberson said of receiving the group’s top honor. “It’s a privilege to represent and support my fellow sheriffs in the coming year. The Association’s Annual Business Conference is a valuable opportunity for us to come together, share our experiences, and learn from each other. Through our collaborative efforts, we are committed to continually enhancing the service we provide to our communities.”
With budget stretch to the max all the sheriffs getting together and spending all these monies for all these conventions doesn’t make sense. For example when the deputy got shot in Oak Ridge, Danny Rogers was in Florida at a very nice luxury high end resort at a so-called convention. Last year the same convention was in Santa Barbara California. It cost taxpayers almost $4,000 for a two-day convention Danny Rogers to go. It doesn’t make sense when budgets are maxed out. For example when Sheriff Rogers went to Santa Barbara California last year there was no money in the budget for training but yet he continues to go to out-of-town conventions at least once a month for at least four or five days. Last year he went to a convention in DC and decided to go a little early and it taxpayers expense take a tour of the White House. And we didn’t even get a thank you.
Priorities matter. Duty comes first!
So, all these Sheriff’s from across our state go on a taxpayer funded vacation with their families in South Carolina? Why was this annual conference not held in NC? There are plenty of locations at the NC coast that have adequate hotels, conference centers etc where this could have been held. Our tax dollars pay for the Sheriff’s vehicles, gasoline, salaries, conference fees, meals and all the other perks and it all goes to the state of SC and Myrtle Beach. Training for all law enforcement officers is good, including Sheriff’s and department heads, but my issue is why this isn’t routinely held at a location in NC. If it is going to be held out of state, then the Sheriff’s need to reimburse the respective counties from their own pocket for ALL expenses, not enjoy these vacations on the taxpayers dime.
I know this sounds petty but I have one question…why are NC sheriffs having their meeting in SC?
On the mark with this one….
That is the right question to ask.
The NC Sheriffs should have their holiday in NC. I would suggest Carolina Beach, if you can find a parking space without a parking meter.
N.C. Law Enforcement, state, county or city should support as much as possible, NC businesses. They pay the NC and Federal taxes that support law enforcement. One year you meet on the coast. Alternate years you meet toward the mountains. Reduces expenses for everyone and spreads the returns across the state. Annual conferences obviously meet only once a year. Get elected as an officer and you receive regular expenses paid trips to “meetings.” I strongly support law enforcement but not everyone is concerned with how tax payer money is spent.
Now I do not feel guilty for withholding anymore donations to the
North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association. For years they have sent out the typical hard sell pleas to send them our money. While wishing to support law enforcement, this one act, of spending donations to party in ANOTHER STATE tell me all I need to know about that group of grifters.