How long does it take for Kure Beach officers to take someone to jail? | News

KURE BEACH, NC (WECT) – Leaders in Pleasure Island are looking for a way to cut down on the amount of time it takes to take people to jail.

According to Kure Beach Mayor Dean Lambeth, it takes police officers hours when they have to take someone to the Sheriff's Office in Castle Hayne.

"Three officers on duty and you take one," Lambeth said. "Right him off for four hours."

Three 'floating' magistrates currently cover the three beach towns in New Hanover County. Lambeth said they're on-call hours are not sufficient for the busy summer season.

"It's more prevalent because of all the activities we have down here in the summertime," he said. "There is a slew of people down here."

Lambeth admits that Kure Beach crime is not as high as other places, like neighboring Carolina Beach. More than 280 arrests by CBPD last summer resulted in almost 150 trips to the New Hanover County Jail.

The mayor said  a full-time magistrate on Pleasure Island from Memorial to Labor Days in an effort to speed up the process. Lambeth will have to pitch his idea to a judge and funding must be approved by legislators. 

If approved, a sheriff's office annex in the Monkey Junction area would be the next step, according to Lambeth.

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