There are only 2,500 residents of Angier, but given its proximity toRaleigh, it is experiencing rapid growth. One of the fastest growingsegments of the population is Hispanic. That, according to police, hassometimes made for difficult communications.
That's why new chief Michael Aponte says he believes hisfluency in both English and Spanish will provide a much needed tool forimproving relations in the rural community.
People have experienced shock, but as they get to know Aponte, theshock is wearing off. Aponte has been around. The former Wake CountySheriff's Deputy was a paratrooper in the U.S. Army, he races motorcycles,he's been shot in the line of duty, and he even appeared on television's America's Most Wanted program for solving a crime.
But Aponte says he thinks his biggest asset in his new position is hisHispanic heritage.
Angier restaurant owner Rebecca Rodriguez agrees with Aponte.
Recently, several members of Angier's Hispanic community were victimsof a brutal beating at a local laundromat. Aponte says he wants hisofficers to be able to handle situations like that with no languagebarrier. That's why he's sending them to school to learn Spanish.
Officer Donny Storer says that knowledge will help.
Angier currently has six police officers. Aponte says he would like tohire at least three more. He says his goal is to boost the image of thepolice department and respond better to the needs of the entire community.
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