Statesville Police Department, Mooresville Police Department, and Troutman Police Department Partner for Narcotics Incinerator Project

Statesville, NC – November 7, 2024 – In a collaborative effort to enhance law enforcement capabilities in narcotics and evidence disposal, the Statesville Police Department (SPD) has entered into an interlocal agreement with the Mooresville Police Department (MPD) and Troutman Police Department (TPD) to purchase a clean burning incinerator designated for the destruction of narcotics and other drugs. The agreement was approved by the Statesville City Council in December 2023, and the incinerator was recently installed and is now operational.

The incinerator project, with an overall cost of approximately $60,000, was made possible by a shared funding approach, with each of the three agencies contributing one-third of the total costs—about $16,351.00 per agency. In addition, DACI (Drug-Alcohol Coalition of Iredell) generously provided a $10,000 grant to help fund the project, furthering the mission to combat substance abuse, misuse, and overdose deaths in our community.

The need for a local incineration option arose after a commonly used facility for evidence disposal across the state ceased their program of allowing law enforcement agencies to burn at their site.  It then became increasingly difficult to find alternatives for evidence destruction and the idea of a local incineration option, and location, began.  With the location of the new incinerator being in a designated heavy industrial zone, no additional zoning modifications were required for installation. The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality also confirmed that no additional permits would be needed unless the incineration exceeded five tons per year, which is very unlikely based on the total amount that is estimated to be destroyed each year. 

"Equitably Shared Property” funds, permissible by the U.S. Department of Justice for law enforcement training and equipment, supported this essential project. With the installation complete, the SPD hosted a hands-on training for members from MPD, TPD, and DACI representatives to ensure effective and safe operation of the incinerator.

The Statesville Police Department extends its thanks to the Mooresville Police Department, Troutman Police Department, and DACI for their commitment to this project. We would also like to thank the Iredell County Animal Services and Control Department for allowing local departments to utilize their incinerator for the safe destruction of unwanted, unused, and expired medications through programs like the National Drug Take Back initiatives and local Medication Drop Boxes.  Without their support and assistance over the years, these types of medication disposal programs may not have been sustainable. 

Pictured from left to right: Danielle Benoit – SPD Evidence Tech, Officer S. Morales – TPD Evidence Tech, Lt. Darren Payne – TPD, Cpl. Chan Austin – SPD, Bill Cahill – MPD Evidence Tech, Lee Labelle – MPD Evidence Custodian, Robin Lindsey – SPD Evidence Tech, and Asst. Chief Bryan Johnson – SPD

About the City of Statesville

The City of Statesville is truly a diverse community that welcomes new people, new voices and ideas, new industry, and business. We have already made significant investments in our downtown amenities, our business sector, our schools, our infrastructure, and more is on the horizon. We are creating a dynamic future for ourselves as we build on our successful history and the positive energy we experience today, all the while incorporating the values and quality of life that we cherish. To learn more visit www.statesvillenc.net.