Lenoir Memorial Hospital in Kinston, N.C., is forming its own police force to enhance safety, according to an article on the WNCT website.
Scotty Hill, the public safety director, said improving security in hospitals is a trend across the country.
"We just live in an environment across the country where everything has gotten a little more vile, little more widespread," Hill said. "So it's not unique to hospitals. It's like that in any industry."
The hospital force will initially consist of six officers. The officers will have full legal authority while on the hospital's property. Hill said they're looking to hire two additional officers.
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