CFD can no longer unlock vehicles except in emergency situations

State regulations, licensing laws, as well as liability issues, have changed things

by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville Fire Chief Jason Wofford said he and his staff want to let the citizens of Cherryville and the surrounding area they service know that, effective immediately, their department, and possibly other departments as well, will no longer be able to unlock vehicles, except in emergency situations that involve life safety. Chief Wofford said last week in an interview with the Eagle that, due to state regulations and licensing laws as well as liability issues, the decision was made.

Said Chief Wofford, in an official statement, “The Cherryville Fire Department will stop providing the service to unlock cars. This is due to rising liability issues, and now a state licensing requirement. The Cherryville Fire Department is only allowed to unlock cars for emergency purposes only. The types of emergency situations are children, animals, and medicine locked in vehicles. We hope citizens will understand the change in service, but it is unavoidable. There are several Locksmiths that service our area. We urge everyone to purchase a hide-a-key or give relatives and/or friends an extra key that can help them if they are ever in need.”

Chief Wofford also noted they have no vetting process for the procedure as well to make sure the person needing to get into a vehicle actually has proper permission to do so. “It comes to a point,” said Chief Wofford, “when we, or other similar departments, See CFD, Page 3