Police report increase in forged checks, DWIs

KENANSVILLE — During the October meeting of the Kenansville Board of Commissioners, Police Chief Jackie Benton delivered a significant report. He revealed that the department had encountered an unusually high level of activity in September, making it a particularly busy month for the department.

In an interview with Duplin Journal following the meeting, Benton said most of the crime involved a forged check operation.

“We had a busy September, probably the busiest month since I’ve been here,” Benton said. “Number one we had more financial crime. Some of it was what they call a ‘check washing’ scheme where you’re changing checks and forging checks.”

Benton said the forged checks were a combination of ones from companies and individuals that had been stolen from other parts of the state and brought to smaller towns like Kenansville where the thieves believed they would have an easier time cashing them. He said there was also an increase in drivers under the influence.

“We had five DWIs which is a lot for Kenansville,” Benton said.

In other business, the town held a public hearing regarding a zoning request from resident Sylvester Carlton. He proposed placing a manufactured home on a lot where a mobile home had been removed in 2001. Carlton requested that the board extend the mobile home overlay to permit the installation of a new manufactured home on the property. Zoning ordinances have changed since the previous mobile home was taken down.

The board did not approve his request.

In other business:

The board voted to appoint Alex Padgett to fill the seat on the board vacated by Commissioner Nelson Baker, who died in April. Padgett will assume his position on the board Nov. 4.
During the public comment period, former board member Eddie Hobbs announced he would not be seeking election to the board as he had previously intended due to health concerns. Hobbs had previously served as a commissioner until he was defeated in the last election by challenger Crystal Strickland. However, he introduced his son, Brandon Hobbs, who expressed his intention to run in his father’s place as a write-in candidate.
Town Manager Anna West reported that the town was on track to have the audit completed by Oct. 30. North Carolina statutes require all cities and towns to complete an audit each fiscal year.
West introduced Vickie Outlaw Deaver as a new finance and administrative assistant. She will join West and town clerk Madison Jones as town hall staff.
The board received comments from a citizen seeking assistance with her water bill, which had increased significantly due to a leak discovered under her home. West stated that she would investigate the matter and report back to the board at the November meeting.