The Elon Town Council discussed a police department risk assessment, awarded promotions to two police officers and gave updates on town projects.

Town of Elon Police Department Risk Assessment

The council discussed the North Carolina League of Municipalities’s risk review assessment of the police department, which the department successfully completed. The NC League of Municipalities is a member-driven organization that represents the interests of towns across North Carolina. 

According to a risk management consultant from the league, Chet Effler, the assessment included a review of the department to make sure they adhered to industry standards and practices. This was done through inspection of equipment and facilities, officer interviews and observations of daily operations. Effler said roughly 200 law enforcement agencies across the state pledged to do this risk assessment, but Elon was one of only nine who ended up doing it.

Town council member Stephanie Bourland commended the police department for this accomplishment.

“The fact that they did the risk management survey when only had 200 that were willing to do it, and then 9 that actually did it out of the state, is a huge statement on how they are working and how they want the trust of the community and how they’re willing to make sure that they’re doing a good job,” Bourland said. 

Town of Elon Police Department Promotions

Town of Elon Police Chief Kelly Blackwelder celebrated the promotions of two police officers during the meeting. Edgar Ocampo was promoted from Police Officer II to Master Police Officer. Camryn Henley was promoted from Master Police Officer to Patrol Sergeant. 

Projects Updates

Town manager Rich Roedner gave updates on several town projects. 

Roedner said construction on the West Trollinger sidewalk is done and that repaving of East Haggard Avenue is completed except for a stamped imprint on the crosswalks that Elon University will complete in October.

Roedner also gave an update on the purchase of the building on 112 Orange Drive, which formerly housed a LabCorp testing facility. The council plans to purchase this facility in order to relocate the town hall and the Elon police department and accommodate additional space needs for public meetings and departmental training. Roedner said the town is still negotiating the price but plans to wrap it up in the next couple of weeks. 

Roedner also announced that the town was not successful in a $350,000 grant application for a skatepark. Roedner said he plans to meet with the skatepark committee about shrinking their proposal to fit the town’s budget.  

Other Items

The council also approved a budget amendment to purchase an SUV for the police department. They also set a public hearing date for Sept. 9 for an annexation petition, which would enlarge the town’s corporate limits. 

At the end of the meeting, Bourland emphasized how important it is for the town to make sure new students at Elon University are comfortable going downtown and becoming part of the community. She said this is especially important as enrollment is down — which is down by 11.6% with the class of 2029.

“They are the lifeblood of our town and we really need that,” Bourland said. “When we have fewer it affects our businesses, so the more we can do to support them and continue to have this great relationship with the university, the better off that we are.”

Next Town Council Meeting

The next town council meeting will be held Sept. 9.