EAST ARCADIA – The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office will dedicate a new substation at the Bladen Community College East Arcadia Center. The ceremony will include area dignitaries and U.S. Congressman David Rouzer.
The event will take place Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
“This is an important accomplishment for law enforcement in Bladen County,” remarked Sheriff Jim McVicker. “With an office location in the eastern part of Bladen County, we become more easily accessible to residents in that part of the county.”
Bladen Community College will host the substation.
According to BCC President William Findt, “We are pleased to collaborate with the county to accommodate the substation. Our East Arcadia Center affords the Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement agencies a centrally located and readily accessible administrative space. With ample parking and a comfortable office environment, the center is an optimal location for a law enforcement substation.”
Bladen County Board of Commissioners Chair Russell Priest agreed.
“It is always advantageous for law enforcement to have a broad presence in our county,” he said. “This alliance will provide added security for the college, heightened protection for the residents in the area, and the convenience of an office base on the eastern edge of the county.”
According to McVicker, the initial idea originated with BCC board Chairmabn Dennis Troy and board member Albert Beatty, who expressed concern for the safety of students, staff, and faculty at the East Arcadia Center.
“Mr. Troy and Mr. Beatty planted the seed,” remarked McVicker. “They described their concern. I devised a solution.”
In conversations with Capt. David O’Neal of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and 1st Sgt. Matt Hardee of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, McVicker was able to orchestrate an alliance in which the sheriff’s office could share a facility substation in the area with both the Wildlife Resources Commission and the Highway Patrol. Officers from nearby Columbus County are also expected to use the facility.
Bladen Community College Vice President for Finance and Administration Jay Stanley coordinated the logistics of opening an office space for the shared law enforcement teams.
“The East Arcadia Center is a perfect location for the substation,” stated Stanley. “The infrastructure is already there. The shared space will not burden the county or the college with additional expenses, and the benefits will have an enormous impact on the county and the college.”
McVicker is pleased with the new facility, saying “Everyone’s safety is our concern, no matter where you live in Bladen County.”
The public is invited to attend.
Cathy Kinlaw is the public information and marketing director for Bladen Community College.