It's just one example of what police in Fayetteville have to deal with.A wooded area may look pretty safe at first glance. But after a closer look, razor wire and barbed wire are hidden in the trees. It's the kindof trap officers can find when they least expect it.
Police officers see it all. But it's what they can't see that has themworried. Officer Tracy Campbell hit the wire so hard, a piece broke up inhis forehead.
One night last week Officer Campbell chased a group of teens accused ina hit and run. That's when he ran into a booby trap.
"If I would have been just a little taller, it would have gotten me in thethroat, and that piece of wire that broke off in my head would have brokeoff in my throat."
Campbell needed 17 stitches, but the cuts are still visible. The scary thing is that last week's incident is Campbell's second close call withbooby traps set up by criminals, often drug dealers, to keep police away.What makes the traps so dangerous is that you can't see the danger.
"It's like a cat and mouse game," Campbell says. "They want us to chasethem and try to catch them so when they have stuff like this rigged up."
So why don't the police just tear the traps down? Campbell says it'sbecause the traps will be put up in different places. The booby traps maybe intended for police officers but anyone can get hurt.
"Even citizens that are out need to be careful where they go because ifyou walk into something like this whether you're walking or running you'regoing to get hurt seriously."
It's not just wires that can catch officers. Sometimes people will dothings like dig holes then cover them up with leaves and debris. So ifyou know where they are, you can make your way around. Those people whodon't can easily twist or break an ankle. While officers are concernedabout their safety, one of their biggest fears is what could happen ifkids run into the traps.
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