WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- New Hanover County Commissioners today gave unanimous approval to two measures aimed at fighting crime.
Commissioners approved Sheriff Ed McMahon's request to approve changing the scope of a federal grant the county shares with the City of Wilmington to pay for expanding the ShotSpotter program. ShotSpotter is a system that uses microphones and computers to tell law enforcement where shots were fired. Last year the county discussed using its half of the more than $80,000 from the US Department of Justice toward buying vehicles.
The commission also voted to give District Attorney Ben David $30,000 to help pay for a prosecutor who tries what David calls the worst cases and worst offenders in federal court. Funding for the partnership with the US Attorney's Office has been cut. The county money will keep the program going for three months. David says this is a one-time request.
