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Welcome to the April 2026 edition of The Loop, the official newsletter of the Town of Wrightsville Beach, keeping you in the loop.
As we enter into another beautiful spring season on Wrightsville Beach, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible work that goes into keeping our shoreline clean and welcoming.
Our Public Works team works hard every day to maintain the beach, collect trash, and ensure our public spaces remain in great condition. Their dedication helps preserve the natural beauty that makes Wrightsville Beach such a special place.
The cleanliness of our beach does not go unnoticed. Residents and visitors frequently comment on how well-maintained the beach is, and that is a direct reflection of the pride and effort our Public Works staff puts into their work. Protecting Wrightsville Beach is a shared responsibility. We ask our community to be good stewards of the Town by doing your part to leave the beach as clean and beautiful as you found it.
Thank you to our Public Works team for everything you do to help keep Wrightsville Beach looking its best.
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McKinley "Ken" Dull
Mayor, Town of Wrightsville Beach
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Pictured: Wrightsville Beach sunrise over the ocean on March 22, 2026.
Photo courtesy of Suzan Hardin.
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April BOA Meeting Date Change
The April Board of Aldermen Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 14, at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers.
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Public Safety Reminder
Keeping our community safe takes all of us working together whether you’re walking, running, biking, or driving.
Here are a few important reminders:
👟 Pedestrians
•If a sidewalk is available, please use it. Walking or running in the roadway when a sidewalk is present is unsafe and unlawful under NC State Statute § 20-174.
•If no sidewalk is available, walk on the far-left side of the road or shoulder, facing oncoming traffic, and yield to vehicles.
🚴 Cyclists
•Please use designated bike lanes provided to help maintain a safe and predictable flow of traffic.
•Town Ordinance § 72.08 prohibits bicycles from riding upon any sidewalk or walkway within the town.
🚗 Drivers
•Stay alert and be mindful of pedestrians and cyclists at all times.
•NC State Statute § 20-173 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
These guidelines are in place to protect everyone, walkers, joggers, runners, cyclists, and drivers alike. A small adjustment in where you travel can make a big difference in preventing accidents and keeping our community safe.
Let’s all do our part.
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The Streets and Facilities Maintenance team has been building and staining new trash barrel enclosures that are being installed along the beach strand (you may have already seen a few). These new enclosures will help improve the overall appearance of the beach access areas while providing a more durable and organized solution for waste collection.
In addition, the Environmental Services team recently completed a stormwater project at the Wynn Plaza restrooms. This project will improve stormwater management in the area while also enhancing the surrounding landscape.
Both of these projects reflect the Town’s continued commitment to making visual improvements while implementing more environmentally friendly solutions across Wrightsville Beach.
| Pictured: Trash Barrels Before Enclosures. | Pictured: Trash Barrels with New Enclosures. | | |
The following is a summary of reports by WBPD. This information is a matter of public record and reflects activities within town limits during the month of March.
Incidents: 55
Arrests: 52
Charges: 95
Speeding stops: 73
Noise Violations: 76
DWIs: 11
Traffic Stops: 265
| WBPD Undergoes CALEA Assessment | |
The Wrightsville Beach Police Department recently completed its annual assessment through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies accreditation program.
As part of this process, the department’s policies, procedures, and operations are reviewed against 185 professional standards to ensure they remain current with law enforcement best practices. Each year, agencies complete a web-based review, and every four years a CALEA assessor conducts an on-site evaluation.
During this year’s on-site assessment, the assessor toured department facilities, inspected vehicles and equipment, conducted ride-alongs, interviewed officers about department policies, and met with members of the Wrightsville Beach community. The assessor will now present the findings to the full CALEA Commission for final consideration.
Final accreditation results will be determined at the CALEA conference in July in Omaha, Nebraska.
CALEA accreditation is considered the gold standard for public safety agencies and reflects a department’s commitment to professionalism, transparency, and continuous improvement in service to the community.
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Inside WBFD's Training Culture
At the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department, training is part of daily life. With just 3–5 firefighters per shift, (typically 3 full-time and a few volunteers) every member must be highly skilled and ready to handle any situation.
WB full-time firefighters are cross trained as EMTs, firefighters, and engineers. The training shown below, relay pumping, is a firefighting technique when multiple pumper trucks are used in a series to move large volumes of water over long distances from a water source, like a pool, the ocean, or a hydrant. This is just one example of the technical work they regularly practice.
Wrightsville Beach’s unique geography adds another layer of responsibility. With limited staffing and possible delays in outside assistance, such as the drawbridge being raised, WBFD must be fully self-reliant. They serve as both fire and EMS responders, and every member of the team must step into any role as needed.
It’s this strong training culture and versatility that make WBFD such an exceptional and dependable team. Our community is fortunate to have such a hardworking and highly skilled group serving Wrightsville Beach.
| Pictured: WBFD practicing relay pumping behind Town Hall. | | |
Ocean Rescue Tryouts &
NC Rip Current Awareness
As we prepare for the summer season, Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue will hold lifeguard tryouts on April 19 and April 25 at Crystal Pier.
| Pictured: WBOR's Lifeguard Tryout Flyer. | |
Following tryouts, North Carolina Rip Current Awareness Week takes place April 26 through May 2. Rip currents are one of the most common beach hazards but knowing how to identify them and how to respond can save lives.
If caught in a rip current, remember: stay calm, float, and swim parallel to shore until you’re out of the current, then, make your way back to the beach.
As always, we encourage everyone to swim near a lifeguard and stay informed before heading into the water.
To learn more about rip currents visit the National Weather Service's website on Carolinas Rip Current Awareness.
| Pictured: NOAA's diagram on how a rip current is formed. | Pictured: NOAA's diagram on what to do if caught in a rip current. | | |
Yes, we said it - summer camps.
- Lacrosse Camp
- QuickStart Tennis Camp
- Performance Club Camp
- TYL Youth Basketball Camp
- TYL Youth Flag Football Camp
- CB Strength Training & Conditioning for Youth
- Jeremy Owens Junior Lifeguard Camp - Camp participation required to register for the Junior Lifeguard Fall Program.
Pre-registration is required to participate. Sign up now, spots are filling up!
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Join Us for Fitness Classes
Stay active and meet your neighbors or visitors!
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Chat with the Chief - April 16 | Coffee with a Cop - April 23 | | |
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Beach Bunnies & a Familiar Face
Wrightsville Beach’s very own Park Ranger, Shannon Slocum, is featured in the April 2026 issue of Our State magazine, and if you’ve ever spotted a bunny hopping around the beach, you’ll understand why.
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Pictured: Photo copies of the Beach Bunnies article in the Our State Magazine.
Left - A rabbit at Trailborn Surf & Sound. Right - The view from a Trailborn Surf & Sound balcony.
| The article, “Beach Bunnies,” shines a light on the 200–300 rabbits that call the lawn at Trailborn Surf & Sound home. Known to some as “blue tails” for their blue-gray fur and to others as “cane cutters” for their appetite for switch cane, these unexpected coastal residents have become a beloved part of the island’s charm. | | Pictured: Park Ranger Shannon Slocum. | | |
Shannon, who has served the Town for 25 years, is quoted throughout the piece, sharing insight and a bit of humor about the bunnies’ habits. He notes they “love people with grassy yards and a well-kept garden,” something many residents can likely confirm. Over the years, Shannon has answered countless questions from curious visitors and locals, embracing his role, alongside fellow ranger Scott Spranger, as an ambassador for Wrightsville Beach.
In fact, Shannon says the rabbits might be the best ambassadors of all: “Can you imagine going home and saying to your friends, 'You won't believe what I saw at Wrightsville Beach...'?”
The article was written by Wilmington-based author Jason Frye and beautifully captures one of the many unique qualities that make Wrightsville Beach so special.
Be sure to check out the April 2026 issue of Our State to read more and join us in giving Shannon a well-deserved shoutout for representing our community so well!
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Board of Aldermen Meeting
March 12, 2026
Next Meeting:
Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 5:30 pm in the Town Council Chambers
| (Click On Video Below to Watch a Replay of the Board of Aldermen Meeting.) | | BRIDGE REPLACEMENT BULLETIN | | | |
NCDOT Bridge Replacement Project in Wrightsville Beach
NEXT MEETING:
Monday, June 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Wrightsville Beach Public Safety Building Conference Room
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) plans to replace three aging bridges in Wrightsville Beach as part of a single project (Project HB-0040), and repairs are no longer a long-term solution.
What’s Changing:
- Causeway Drive Bridge (US 76): Will be rebuilt as a 4-lane bridge with a center median.
- The Two Bridges on West Salisbury Street (US 74): Each will be rebuilt as 2-lane bridges.
The new bridges will be built in roughly the same location as the current ones. While no new car lanes will be added, the new designs will improve access for pedestrians and cyclists with:
- 10–12-foot multi-use paths
- 6-foot bike lanes
Town Action & Community Involvement
Though this is a NCDOT project, the Town of Wrightsville Beach is actively involved to ensure the community’s voice is heard throughout the planning and construction process. The Wrightsville Beach Chamber of Commerce also has a representative ex officio to represent all Wrightsville Beach businesses.
Key Town Efforts Include:
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Bridge Replacement Committee: Formed by the Board of Aldermen, this committee includes six residents, three ex officio members, and four Town staff. Its mission is to gather public input, review project updates, and provide recommendations to the Board and NCDOT.
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Transportation Consultant: Was hired by the Town to support the committee and staff. The consultant is helping with NCDOT communications, traffic studies, emergency service access, and technical project guidance.
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The town has hired an emergency response consultant to assist with planning and preparation for emergency situations. The emergency response consultant will share a presentation at the next meeting.
Wrightsville Beach is committed to keeping residents informed and minimizing disruptions throughout the duration of this important infrastructure project.
For more information and FAQs on the Bridge Replacement Project, click here to visit our website.
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Curious about how something works in the Town of Wrightsville Beach?
Whether it’s about town services, processes, or operations, we’re here to help keep you informed!
Use our fillable form to ask your question, and we’ll get back to you with an answer.
Click here to submit your question.
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321 Causeway Drive
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
(910) 256-7900
Visit us online townofwrightsvillebeach.com
OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
PARKS & RECREATION
(910) 256-7925
PLANNING & INSPECTIONS
(910) 256-7937
PUBLIC WORKS
(910) 256-7935
COMMUNICATIONS
(910) 239-1712
POLICE NON-EMERGENCY
(910) 452-6120
FIRE NON-EMERGENCY
(910) 256-7920
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David serves as the Building Inspector and has been with the Town of Wrightsville Beach for almost 2 years. In his role, he helps ensure that construction projects across the island meet safety and building standards.
David says one of his favorite parts of the job is getting to see many of the island’s beautiful homes come to life, from the beginning stages of construction all the way to completion.
When he’s not on the job, you can usually find him in the water. He spends most of his free time surfing and loves that living and working on the island allows him to catch a surf session before work.
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