Tri-City Task Force Receives $625K From Congress

On Jan. 30 at Rutherfordton Town Hall, Congressman Tim Moore (R, NC-14) presented $625,000 in federal funding to support the Tri-City Violent Crimes Task Force serving the towns of Rutherfordton, Forest City, and Spindale. The funding was signed into law as part of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations legislation. The presentation was attended by Rutherfordton Mayor Jimmy Dancy, Forest City Mayor Steve Holland, and Spindale Mayor Nancy Walker. The leaders signaled unified municipal support for regional collaboration to address violent crime and enhance public safety.

The task force is a collaborative regional partnership led by Chief Clint Ingle of the Rutherfordton Police Department, Chief Chris LeRoy of the Forest City Police Department, and Chief Chad Nazelrod of the Spindale Police Department, along with a dedicated group of officers from the three agencies. Through unified efforts, communication, collaboration, and shared resources, the task force said they work to prevent and respond to violent crime across jurisdictional boundaries.

This federal investment will enable the purchase of essential technology, specialized vehicles, tactical equipment, and forensic tools to enhance multi-jurisdictional crime prevention and response efforts, officials said. Rutherford County has experienced a 415% increase in violent crime since 2022, while drug-related incidents have risen by 97% from 2023 to 2024, underscoring the need for coordinated enforcement strategies and modern investigative resources, according to a statement from Rutherfordton town manager Doug Barrick.

The announcement marked a major milestone for the Tri-City Task Force and the men and women who serve on it, significantly improving the equipment and resources available to support officer safety, investigative capacity, and tactical readiness, the statement said.

The task force continues to strengthen regional public safety through collaboration, communication, and shared resources across Rutherfordton, Forest City, and Spindale. Chief Clint Ingle of the Rutherfordton Police Department said, “This investment strengthens officer safety, investigative capacity, and tactical readiness, directly benefiting the officers on the task force and the residents of Rutherfordton, Forest City, and Spindale. It ensures we can respond more effectively to serious crime while supporting the communities we serve.” Chief Chris LeRoy of the Forest City Police Department added, “These resources significantly enhance our ability to share intelligence, coordinate enforcement efforts, and ensure our officers have the tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.” Chief Chad Nazelrod of the Spindale Police Department emphasized the importance of collaboration. He said, “For our departments, collaboration and shared resources are essential. This funding allows us to maximize impact while maintaining a unified approach to public safety.” Together, these statements reflect the shared commitment of the Tri-City Task Force to protect residents, support officers, and create safer communities across all three towns, Barrick said.

Local leaders expressed appreciation for Congressman Moore’s leadership and support of this regional partnership. The Tri-City Law Enforcement Task Force remains committed to working collaboratively to reduce violent crime and build safer communities throughout Rutherford County.