On any given day, readers may see Jim Sughrue's name in at least one newspaper story. As the Raleigh Police Department's public information officer for the past five years, Sughrue, 59, disseminates official police information to various media, whether TV, radio or newspaper.

Sughrue often holds news conferences from the scene of major events and is known in media circles for being reachable at all hours during breaking news. He is the initial public contact for the police, answering questions about cases or sending e-mail alerts to the media detailing situations such as robberies, scams or traffic tie-ups caused by wrecks.

Sughrue's background includes stints as a broadcast journalist, an Army reservist and a press agent for a former governor and the state Department of Transportation.

Sughrue spoke with us last week about his career, his job with the RPD and the growing gang problem in Raleigh.

Q. What attracted you to this position?

A. I have done a number of public information jobs in the past. It seemed to be a place where I could use what I'd learned in other jobs in a very meaningful way.

Q. Is this the most exciting job you've ever had?

A.Yes, I would say that. I often say this job bears a strong resemblance to news reporting. My life is controlled by the events that swirl around me, most of which I have no control over.

Q. What were some of your previous jobs?

A. My professional career in public communication goes back to 1973 when I got my first job, a part-time news-reporting job with a television station in Columbia, S.C.

Q. So you were a broadcast journalist? What stations did you work for?

A.WIS in Columbia. ... In late 1979, one Army Reserve job brought me to Durham. An opportunity developed for me to return to broadcast. I was assigned to Raleigh as a reporter for WTVD-TV.

Q. Why did you get out of journalism?

A. I liked the Raleigh area. When you're working in TV, advancement often means moving. I didn't want to move.

Q. How many hours a week do you work? Are there plans to hire an assistant for you?

A. According to the time sheets I turn in, 37.75. I work until the work is done, whatever it takes.

We are in the process of hiring an assistant. It would give me a chance to take a break every now and then.

Q. The melee last month at Triangle Town Center reportedly involved some gang members. Have you noticed an increase in gangs in the northern part of the city?

A. Certainly some gang members were involved in that incident. In the past we've done maps to show where we've come in contact with gang members. There are dots all over Raleigh. It's not a problem isolated to one particular part of town. Violence associated with gangs -- disturbance, robbery, assaults -- have taken place on just about every corner of the community.

Q. Did you read Thomasi McDonald's piece in the Sunday N&O about gangs?

Yes, I did. The RPD are members of Wake County Gang Prevention Partnership. It's got a three-pronged focus: prevention, intervention and interdiction or enforcement. When you're dealing with young people -- or anyone, really -- after the police are involved, the problem has advanced far greater than anyone wants to see.

We'll strictly enforce the law but we'll also partner in efforts to steer kids away from gangs. We're excited to get involved with young people in meaningful activities.

That's the real hope for the future -- to prevent kids from joining gangs in the first place.

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