Apex, Cary, Holly Springs and Morrisville police help with Hurricane Helene relief at Biltmore Village

Hundreds of law enforcement officers from the Triangle are helping with Hurricane Helene relief efforts in western North Carolina.

A group comprised of officers from the Apex, Cary, Holly Springs and Morrisville police departments is among them. The group is helping patrol the Biltmore Village.

WRAL News on Friday drove with Holly Springs officers to show progress throughout Buncombe County. Piles of debris have slowly dwindled down, but it could be years before some western North Carolina communities rebuild.

The city of Asheville has asked for about 200 extra officers to help them handle the devastation. It prompted the group from the Triangle to help relieve Asheville police officers.

The group has helped patrol areas just like any other jurisdiction. It includes stopping looters, helping traffic control and more.

“It’s giving their officers a chance to go home, decompress, take 12 hours off,” said Holly Springs police Lt. Robert Parrish. “They have damage at their homes also.

“And that’s the thing for us. We want to help our community, but we also want to help our brothers and sisters.”

In natural disasters, there’s a command structure regulated by FEMA, which also reimburses agencies when they send aid.

Holly Springs police said they’ll continue to help and may come back for any other help needed in the future.