Sanford City Council text messages, citizen emails on DSI police still withheld six days after public records request

This is an ongoing story and will be updated as information becomes available.

Sandhills News requested public information requests from the Sanford City Council work session on June 23 and from the meeting when they approved the budget on June 25.

During the June 23 work session, council members exchanged text messages among themselves, and a reliable source verified that Member Linda Rhodes said during the meeting that she had contacted the Downtown Sanford Incorporated Director Kelli Laudette during the meeting.

The work session discussed removing the downtown police who served residents and business owners on foot patrols.

After the text message exchanges, city council members changed statements of support for removing the extra DSI foot patrol police.

Sandhills News requested the texts received and sent during the meeting on June 25. Various city personnel have been called and emailed to remind them of the request and asked for any submitted texts.

On June 25, the day of the budget approval, three council members: Walter Ferguson, Byron Buckels, and Linda Rhodes, stated they had numerous emails and letters from Sanford citizens about the DSI police. On that same day, Sandhills News requested copies of those emails and letters.

The North Carolina Public Records Act asserts that simple, targeted requests should be fulfilled quickly, and when information is readily available and on hand, such as cell phones, there is no justifications for delays.

Automatic delays by local government are not permissible for review or notification.

Delays for readily available information raise honesty and transparency concerns.

This is July 1, the sixth day of waiting for available information.

July 1, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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