Called to serve: ECU Police assist NC agencies after Hurricane Florence
ECU officers mobilized to assist UNC Pembroke, a UNC System campus that had heavy flooding. (Photos contributed by ECU Police)
Since Hurricane Florence struck eastern North Carolina two weeks ago, groups across East Carolina University have stepped up to help, including the ECU Police Department.
In the aftermath of the hurricane, ECU Police Officers immediately mobilized to assist other UNC System institutions and neighboring communities that received catastrophic damage from the storm. Many areas suffered damage from high winds, but it was the flooding during and immediately after the storm that caused thousands of families, businesses and students to be displaced or lose their homes.
“Fortunately we survived the hurricane with minimal impact to our campus and the City of Greenville,” said Jon Barnwell, ECU police chief. “Those east of us weren’t so lucky. When ECU was asked to help, it was exciting to see how many officers selflessly volunteered to assist those affected by the storm.”
Officers from ECU traveled to UNC Pembroke, UNC Wilmington and the Town of New Bern to assist local law enforcement. The first group headed south to UNC Pembroke, which is located in Robeson County, one of the areas that received heavy flood damage. Assistant Chief Jason Sugg and three additional ECU officers worked at UNCP for three days.
ECUPD at UNCP
“They had a few trees down, but most of the campus was under 6 inches to 2 feet of water. Several buildings had water damage and there were many flooded areas in town,” said Sugg.
ECU along with officers from N.C. State University, North Carolina A&T and the N.C. Arboretum assisted with damage assessments and general patrol duties. They also supported swift water rescue task forces from Oklahoma and Colorado and the National Guard by monitoring their equipment while they were stationed at UNCP.
UNC Wilmington sustained a great deal of damage across its campus, and ECU sent five officers to assist with traffic posts to keep campus closed. UNCW officials described their campus as a “construction zone” in the days following Hurricane Florence. Workers were cutting so many trees and large limbs, officers had to make sure joggers and sightseers were not wandering around the campus.
ECUPD at UNCW
In New Bern, many neighborhoods were so damaged that checkpoints were established allowing only those who had business in the areas to get through. ECU provided four officers for four days to patrol and work residency check points in closed neighborhoods.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the men and women who make up this department, and it warms my heart to be a part of the Pirate Nation,” said Barnwell.
In addition to officers volunteering to help other agencies, ECUPD collected school supplies for the schools in Grifton. It was one of the areas that faced flooding during Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and more flooding occurred after Hurricane Florence. Groups from across campus contributed to the supply drive, including the College of Education, News Services and Student Affairs. Officers delivered 50 book bags filled with supplies and an additional 2,500 items were donated.
-by Jamie Smith, ECU News Services