Tlir: HUt'NSWICK HKACON, Thursday, November 19. 1987—Page 5-A
BUSY SCHEDULE SATISFYING
OfficBr Don Gates Fights Crime Through Education
BY RAHN ADAMS
f* or a person who says ho became involved in local
aw enforcement “on a whim“ 11 years ago, Don Gates
takes hjs role as crime prevention officer for the
Brunswick County Sheriffs Department very seriously.
Gates job keeps hun busy “five days and nights a
week, but the 55 to 60 hours he puts in each week en
compass what he calls “the most satisfying thing I’ve
ever done." ^
Why? Because he enjoys helping citizens of
Br^^wick County-both young and old-fight crime,
whether through drug education, community watch
programs or general crime prevention.
Before first joining the sheriffs department in 1976,
Gates. 50, of Ash. was an air traffic controller for 20
years in the U.S. Marine Corps, stationed in Vietnam.
Okinawa and the United Suites.
After retiring from the militarj- and working here
for a time as a .security guard, he slopped by ihe
sheriff s department, which was then headquartered in
Southport, and casually inquired about a job. Ho was
hired that day, he said.
Since then, he has served in the department's patrol
and detective divisions before being named crime
prevention officer.
Also, he was employed for five vears as an Ocean
Isle Beach policeman, after an initial stint with the
sheriffs department.
He said he has learned that “law enforcement in
Brunswick County is no different from any other county
in the state. You work the same types of crimes, even
though the population density here is lower than, say.
Wake County. You still have pockets where the crime
rate is high-cspecially along the beaches and water
way."
Gates said his current post includes setting up and
inaintaining^ommunity watch programs; drug educa
tion for children and adults; education concerning
business-related crimes such as shoplifting and
employee theft; and speaking engagements on all of
those topics.
Gates, who is president of the N.C. Community
Watch Association, oversees 20 active community
watch groups in Brunswick County.
He .said the emphasis on community watch here is
growing.
“We ask them to look out for any crime, not just
house-breaking. We like for them to be our eyes and
cars, but not our muscle," he said, explaining the roles
of community watch groups.
In the past year, he said a major emphasis of his of
fice has been on drug education in local schools. He said
the program is aimed at students of all ages, teachers
and parents.
“The main thrust of drug education must be bet
ween kindergarten and the fifth grade," he said. "If we
don’t get them (students) by the fifth grade, you’ve lost
them."
This year. Gates has helped intrwiuce primary
.school students to the Brunswick County Narcotic-
Squad's “best friend"-its new drug dog “Buddy."
We ve had a real good time, and we’ve been i^eli
received by students in lower grades." Gates .said.
But he added that his reception by older
students—especially in the county’s three high
schools—varies from teen-agers sleeping through
presentations to pupils being truly interested in fighting
drug abuse.
He said an effective presentation he used last year
was “Drugs and the I^w," and it explained the
penalties of dnig dealing and possession.
A lot of kids don’t realize the penalties in-
volved-that you can get sent to jail.” he .said. “You can
get some heavy duty lime.’’
Gates said he is currently working with the
Biuiiswick County Drug-F*rce Schools Committee to
establish workshops for teachers on the "symp-
tomology and pharmacology" of drug education "to
make teachers more aware of what to look for in pupils,
as far as drug abuse goes."
The workshops are scheduled to be held in
December and January, he said.
His work reaches parents mainly through speaking
engagements at churches and civic clubs.
"By educating the adults, you’re in effect attemp
ting to prevent drug abuse in the child," he said.
StAf » photo Br PAMN AOAM$
CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER Don Gales is busy
setting up workshops to help teachers team more about
drug abuse in Brunswick County Public Schools—just
one of Gates’ duties in helping local citizens fight
crime.
Holden Beach Commissioners Table Discussion Of Liability Insurance
Win ui r-r-¥'T7'i> ... #
BY DOUG RUTTER
Despite recommendations from
Town Attorney Doug I.cdgett, Town
Administrator Tom Birmingham and
the North Carolina Department of In
surance, Holden Beach Commis
sioners Monday refused to adopt a
resolution establishing an uninsured
claims and judgments trust fund.
The fund, which would have pro
tected town officers and employees
who have claims or lawsuits filed
against them from actions taken
within the scope of their employment
duties, was recommended because
the current liability insurance policy
will expire Nov. 20.
The town’s present insurance,
which is carried through the National
Union Insurance Company, will be
replaced with coverage through the
Clarendon National Insurance Com
pany.
According to I>edgctt, however,
when the new policy goes into effect,
it will not cover certain zoning rnal-
tors which would be addressed by the
planning and zoning board and board
of adjustments.
He said most insurance companies
in the state are either no longer pro
viding liability insurance for these
zoning matters or luive raised the
premiums so high that most towTis
cannot afford it.
According to the resolution, the
trust fund was to be established with
some or all of the balance of the
town’s unappropriated general
funds.
Because there will be no liability
insurance for town officers and
employees after Friday, commis
sioners requested that the planning
and zoning board and board of ad
justments take no action after this
week until the issue can be settled.
Planning and Zoning Board Chair
man Alan Holden said a Nov. 19
public hearing concerning changes in
the town zoning code dealing with
development of lots containing
marsh or wetlands will be held.
He explained, however, that action
of the board is “not urgent" and
could most likely wait (or any deci
sion of the town commissioners con
cerning insurance.
The zoning board of adjustments,
which had scheduled a public hearing
for Nov. 23 concerning variance re
quests for the construction of a porch
and deck at two residences, postpon
ed its meeting until after the town
board has made its decision.
According to Commissioner Hal
Stanley, Ledgett’s motivation to
recommend adoption of the resolu
tion may have been a paragraph
which read: “All claims and lawsuits
brought against the town, its officers
and employees shall be promptly for
warded to the office of the town at
torney upon their receipt. The town
attorney shall take such steps deem
ed necessar>' to insure a timely and
effective resolution of the matter."
Referring to the fact that Ledgett
would most likely have handled all
claims against the town, Stanley
said, “This kind of stuff is what
lawyers live for."
Ledgett, who was not present at the
meeting, later said that he was not
surprised that the commissioners did
not adopt the resolution.
He added that although the town
w'ill be without liability insurance
after Nov. 20, he does not anticipate
any problems.
He explained that because of
“governmental immunity," the town
cannot be held liable if it doesn’t have
Commandante Daniel Ortega
Coordinator de la junta de Gobiemo
Casa de Gobiemo
Managua, Nicaragua
Dear Commandante:
We address this letter to you in a spirit of hopefulness and good will.
As Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, we regret the fact that better relations do not exist
between the United Slates and your country. We have been, and remain, opposed to U.S. support for
military action directed against the people or goverrunent of Nicaragua.
We want to commend you and the members of your goverrunent for Uking steps to open up the political
process in your country. The Nicaraguan people have not had the opporturuty to participate in a genuinely
free election for over 50 years.’ We support vour decision to schedule elections this year, to reduce press
censorship, and to aUow greater freedom of assembly for political parties. Finally, we recogiuze that you
have taken these steps in the midst of ongoing military hostilities on the borders of Nicara^a.
We write with the hope that the initial steps you have taken will be followed by others designed to
guarantee a fully open and democratic electoral process. We note that some who have become exiles from
Nicaragua have expressed a willingness to return to participate in the elections if assurances are provided
that their security will be protected, and their political rights recognized. Among these exiles are some
who have taken up arms against your government, and who have stated their willingness to lay down
those arms to participate in a truly democratic process.
If this were to occur, the prospects for peace and stability throughout Central America would be dra
matically enhanced. Those responsible for supporting violence against your government, and for obstructing
serious negotiations for broad political participation in £1 Salvador would have far greater difficulty winning
support for their policies than they do today.
We believe that you have it in your power to establish an example for Central America that can be of
enormous historical importance. For this to occur, you have only to lend real force and meaning to concepts
your leadership has already endorsed concerning the niJes by which political parties may coinpete openly
and equitably for political power.
A decision on your part to provide these reasonable assuraiices and conduct truly free and open elections
would significantly improve the prospect of better relations between our two countries and significantly
strengthen the hands of those in our country who desire better relations based upon true equality, self-
determination and mutual good will.
We reaffirm to you our continuing respect and friendship for the Nicaraguan people, and pledge our
i to discuss these or other matters of concern with you or officials of your eovemment at anv
willingness
time.
Very sincerely yours.
Jim Wright (Texas)
Michael D. Barnes (Maryland)
Bill Alexander (Arkansas)
Matthew F. McHugh (New York)
Robert G. Torricelli (New jersey)
Edward P. Boland (Massachusetts)
Stephen j. Solarz (New York)
David R. Obey (Wisconsin)
Robert Garda (New York)
Lee H. Hamilton (Indiana)
insurance.
Ledgett added that “as long as they
(town officers and employeesi act in
the proper fashion, they are not liable
anyway.”
The town board decided to table
any further discussion until the Dec.
7 regular meeting when newly-
elected commissioners Gil Bass, Bob
Buck and Georgia I.anglcy are ex
pected to be present, and the entire
board will be able to seek the advice
of Ledgett in person.
Mayor John Tandy did not attend
the meeting.
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wrote the following lener of praise and support to Daniel Ortega, coordinator of Nicaragua’s Manist Sandinista
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