SOUTHPORT — Following the arrest of Police Chief Gary Smith and second-in-command Lt. Michael Simmons, Southport shut down its police department. All nine officers, including Smith and Simmons, are now on paid administrative leave — at a cost of at least $994.76 every day. Smith and Simmons were arrested after being accused of operating a second … Continue reading Southport’s Police Department is completely shut down. It’s still costing at least $1,000 a day