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Orange County Sheriff's Office booking photos. CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION New Booking Photos T he Orange County Sheriff's Office maintains the information and data contained on this page . If you have questions or comments, please contact the Sheriff's Office at (919) 245-2900 or websheriff@orangecountync.gov . LOADING... Please Be Patient.

Learn more about Detainee Demographics at the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Detainee Demographic Information T he Orange County Sheriff's Office maintains the information and data contained on this page . If you have questions or comments, please contact the Sheriff's Office at (919) 245-2900 or websheriff@orangecountync.gov . LOADING... Please be patient

Learn more about the Current Detainees in the Orange County Detention Center. Current Detainees The Orange County Sheriff's Office maintains the information and data contained on this page. If you have questions or comments, please contact the Sheriff's Office at (919) 245-2900 or websheriff@orangecountync.gov . LOADING... Please be patient

Public Information page providing important details for the Orange County community. Public Information News & Communications Stay Informed! Access the latest news and insights from your Sheriff's Office through our various communication channels. Press Releases Breaking news and important updates are posted on our homepage and archived here. While current releases appear on the main page for 3-5 business days, you can find all past releases in our archive. Read more by clicking the Press Releases button below. The Lowdown with Sheriff Blackwood Each month, Sheriff Blackwood shares his insights and perspectives in "The Lowdown," a column published in the News of Orange. These articles go beyond the headlines to explore: Behind-the-scenes operations of your Sheriff's Office Local impact of national issues Community initiatives and programs Law enforcement insights and education Read the latest edition or explore past columns in the archive by clicking The Lowdown button below. The Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer (P.I.O.) is A. Stemper. Contact: (919) 245-2963 or astemper@orangecountync.gov . PRESS RELEASES READ MORE THE LOWDOWN READ MORE PHOTOS & VIDEOS READ MORE CITIZENS ACADEMY READ MORE EMERGENCY WEATHER READ MORE Firearm Ordinance Noise Ordinance Other County Ordinances Public Sale/Auction Auction and Ordinances An update on reported crimes, fraud, and scams is linked on our main page every standard business day. You may also find a long-term archive of current and past events below. Daily Crime, Fraud, and Scam Reports Daily Crime Report Crime Locations on MAP NIMBUS As a reminder, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office DOES NOT call citizens and solicit money to avoid being arrested. We are being notified of fraudulent calls where individuals are claiming to be deputies from the Sheriff’s Office, requesting money to avoid arrest or civil penalties. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office is seeing a reoccurrence of scams where the scammer is sending individuals checks with a victim's cash, telling you to keep a part of it, and send the scammer the remaining funds. Please be cautions on social media platforms with individuals sending checks and asking for money to be sent back to them. Load More

New webpage of the Orange County Sheriff's Office of North Carolina. CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND INCOMPLETE. Please use ocsonc.com for current details Orange County Sheriff's Office 106 E. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2900 | EMERGENCY DIAL 911 We Provide a Range of Services to Meet Our Community's Needs. We are dedicated to maintaining safety and security while building trust and establishing strong connections within our community. Some of our most visited services are listed below. Click the "SERVICES" tab in the above menu to see all of our offerings. Fingerprinting Discover More Detention Discover More Join Our Team! Discover More CCW Permits Discover More Daily Crime Report Discover More About Us Discover More Crisis & Victim Services Discover More Parent & Student Resources Discover More Our Divisions Discover More Eviction & Civil Services Discover More bike rider gives officer high five group of children wear helmets while sitting on bikes Detention officers sit on and behind bench and smile-4207 bike rider gives officer high five 1/14 Public Information Press Release Daily Crime Report The Lowdown DEPUTIES ARREST TWO FOR THEFT OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS August 7, 2025 Hillsborough, NC (August 7, 2025) – Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jason Todd Richardson and Hannah Marie Turner yesterday afternoon, charging each with felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and felony conspiracy. Investigators believe the Cedar Grove pair broke into a home under construction on McKee Road in Rougemont and stole construction materials on August 2, 2025. “We shared images captured by cameras on the job site to our mobile app and socials earlier this week. We appreciate the calls, tips, and messages we received in response,” said Sheriff Charles Blackwood. “Furthermore, we encourage construction site managers to contact our office for crime prevention tips specific to building sites and to consider our close patrol program.” A magistrate scheduled both Richardson, 44, and Turner, 40, for their first court appearance at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 8, 2025. ### Nothing current to report. You may follow this link to view older Press Releases Read More #74, Storm Recovery July Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall in South Carolina at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2025, weakening into a tropical depression before noon. As late as 5:55 p.m., the National Weather Service maintained Orange County would likely get no more than two inches of rain with a reasonable “worst-case scenario” of less than four inches. As we now know, Chantal stalled, doubled down, and dumped an unprecedented 10 inches of rain in Orange County. One person died when floodwaters trapped her vehicle as she traveled to work. First responders found her body about 18 hours later, changing the lives of her family and friends forever. Other numbers also illustrate the devastation: almost 8,000 calls to 911 telecommunicators, 421 residential properties impacted (of these, the storm destroyed four and delivered major damage to 215 others), 190 residents displaced, 75 crashes/accidents, 14 people injured, and nine road closures. Financially, Orange County suffered more than $20.5 million in residential damage, almost $21 million in commercial destruction, and $28.2 million in harm to facilities such as public works yards and vehicles, water/wastewater treatment plants, and park buildings and equipment. I want to acknowledge the stress and frustration involved in recovering from such a crisis. Times are undoubtedly tough in the aftermath of a natural disaster, and the road can be long. Western North Carolina, still digging out 10 months after Helene, knows the hardship all too well. Fortunately, there is a process in place to assist with recovery. It involves coordinating many levels of government and takes time. The desire to return to normal quickly is understandable, but people who skip prescribed steps risk disqualifying themselves from sources of funding for which they might otherwise be eligible. A full discussion of the process is beyond the scope of this column, but I want to summarize some highlights. It begins when local Emergency Management officials recommend and the chair of the Board of Commissioners declares a State of Emergency, both of which happened on July 7. County and municipal personnel then begin to assess the disaster’s local impact. Residents with damage or excessive debris may register with the county’s “Crisis Track” tool on the readyorange.org website. [This action is one avenue to document damage, but it is not the only way to preserve eligibility for financial relief should it be granted. People should also take photographs and save all receipts.] Additionally, representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration make site visits; both entities have assistance programs with complex eligibility criteria. After Orange County officials compile damage estimates, they submit a preliminary assessment to North Carolina Emergency Management. With damage exceeding $600,000, we potentially qualify for state assistance. Meanwhile, our losses are also combined with those of other affected counties. The collective total is used to determine if the state is eligible for other state and federal assistance. My summary above is a simplified explanation of a complicated financial process. Meanwhile, volunteers begin efforts to help affected people with clean-up and emergency repairs. The Crisis Track reporting tool I mentioned earlier identifies the people who need assistance, their location, and the scope of their trouble. This information is then funneled to volunteer agencies with rosters of trained people ready to help with the physical demands of recovery, and to others capable of managing, tracking, and dispersing financial donations. Most readers are at least somewhat familiar with the services of the American Red Cross. They responded immediately to help with Chantal recovery. Likewise, the North Carolina chapter of Volunteers Active in Disaster (VOAD) convened a diverse group of organizations to alleviate the storm’s impact by delivering services in an effective, efficient manner. According to their vision statement, VOAD wants to “… be the recognized non-governmental leader of the disaster preparedness, response, and recovery sector.” Some of the organizations currently working in Orange County include Baptists on Mission, Team Rubicon, Grounded Boots, the Homebuilders Association, and Habitat for Humanity. Throughout my career, emergency management professionals and I have seen the dangers and inefficiencies of untrained volunteers showing up in the aftermath of a disaster. Despite their good intentions, they are often unprepared and ill-equipped for the danger and difficulty of the work. Likewise, an incoming tide of unsolicited, undirected donations becomes a management, storage, and disbursement challenge, one with which western North Carolina still wrestles. Please see links to agencies on readyorange.org and consider offering your financial support. If you are physically able to help clean-up after disasters, I hope you will consider researching vetted, established volunteer groups in advance of the next crisis. Learn how to join their ranks. Tell them the Sheriff sent you! Read More Monday, August 18, 2025 Crime Nothing to Report Fraud Nothing to Report Scam Nothing to Report PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTER publicinfolive Who We Are About OCSO The Orange County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to upholding the law and serving the community with integrity and professionalism. Our team is comprised of highly trained deputies and staff who are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents. 1752 45k+ 150+ 100+ Dedicated Staff Charles S Blackwood Sheriff Year of Establishment Annual Calls Handled Community Partnerships

aab5c38d-db4d-4696-9a9e-d67fa8b9e880 < Back DEPUTIES ARREST TWO FOR THEFT OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS August 7, 2025 Hillsborough, NC (August 7, 2025) – Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jason Todd Richardson and Hannah Marie Turner yesterday afternoon, charging each with felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and felony conspiracy. Investigators believe the Cedar Grove pair broke into a home under construction on McKee Road in Rougemont and stole construction materials on August 2, 2025. “We shared images captured by cameras on the job site to our mobile app and socials earlier this week. We appreciate the calls, tips, and messages we received in response,” said Sheriff Charles Blackwood. “Furthermore, we encourage construction site managers to contact our office for crime prevention tips specific to building sites and to consider our close patrol program.” A magistrate scheduled both Richardson, 44, and Turner, 40, for their first court appearance at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 8, 2025. ### Previous Next 1/0

A twelve month running archive of Orange County Sheriff's Office press releases. Press Release Archive DEPUTIES ARREST TWO FOR THEFT OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS August 7, 2025 Read More SEX OFFENDER ARRESTED July 16, 2025 Read More WOMAN IDENTIFIED July 8, 2025 Read More BODY OF MISSING WOMAN LOCATED July 7, 2025 Read More CASE UPDATE: DEPUTIES SERVE WARNKE WITH OUTSTANDING WARRANTS July 3, 2025 Read More ONE ARRESTED, ONE STILL AT LARGE FOLLOWING BREAK IN June 30, 2025 Read More ONE CHARGED, ONE STILL AT LARGE IN ATTEMPTED BURGLARY OF BUSINESS May 22, 2025 Read More DEPUTIES INVESTIGATING DEATH May 17, 2025 Read More PROPERTY OWNER CHARGED IN AFTERMATH OF LARGE PARTY May 9, 2025 Read More THREE DEPUTIES INJURED; MAN FACES HOST OF CHARGES March 27, 2025 Read More MAN CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE COUNTS OF CHILD EXPLOITATION March 11, 2025 Read More GOVERNOR STEIN APPOINTS ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF CHARLES BLACKWOOD CHAIR OF CRIME COMMISSION March 11, 2025 Read More

Join Our Team at the Orange County Sheriff's Office of North Carolina! Explore Exciting Career Opportunities! Basic Requirements for Employment High school diploma or GED. Minimum age of 20 required for detention officer. Minimum age of 21 required for deputy positions. United States citizen. Drivers license with good driving record. Must pass criminal and personal background check (a felony conviction and/or some, but not all, misdemeanors are disqualifiers). View Pay Scale Sheriff's Office Benefits Health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. State Government Retirement System Pension. 401(k) plan. Paid holidays and vacation. Paid sick time. Family and medical leave. School parental leave. Civil leave (Jury Duty). Flexible compensation plan. Tuition reimbursement. Ask about additional benefits. We now offer percentage increases to base pay if you have earned: * Associates, college, and/or masters degree * * Intermediate or advanced law enforcement certification * * Intermediate or advanced detention certification * * Foreign language proficiency * * Years of related experience * Thank you for your interest in applying with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office! Please follow the instructions below to complete the online Sheriff F-3 and other tasks. Online Sheriff F-3 : Personal History Statement: Use this link: www.ncf3.com/ Sign up for an account if you do not already have one. Click on "Sheriff F-3". On the next page, enter the last four digits of your SSN, then click "continue". Enter the positions(s) and agency (Orange County Sheriff’s Office) to which you are applying (the names will pop up after you begin typing). After your online F-3 is complete you will be given two options, Save or Print. Print your form (Note: you are allowed unlimited prints of this completed F-3.) Orange County Employment Application: Follow the below link to download, fill out, and print the Employment Application. Employment Application Next Steps (Criminal History Checks): Please contact the Clerk of Court in each county you have lived during the past 10 years. Obtain criminal records checks from these counties for the 10-year period. You should obtain criminal records from North Carolina and any other State where you have resided to include where you attended college and high school. Final Steps: Follow the link below to download, fill out, and print the Release of Information form. Release of Information Submit all above documents to the Sheriff's Office. The Personal History Statement and Release of Information forms must be NOTARIZED. Additional Information: Provide copies of: Driver’s License Social Security Card Birth Certificate High School or College Diploma Please complete the Authorization to Release Information form and have it notarized. Notify Lt. Kim Walker once you have completed these tasks. You may contact her by phone or by email Phone: 919-748-9570 Email: kiwalker@orangecountync.gov

Photos & Videos of the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Photos and Videos Media Gallery Explore the Orange County Sheriff's Office in action through our collection of photos and videos. These images capture our deputies, detention officers, and staff serving the community, participating in local events, and working to keep Orange County safe. Looking for more? Visit our: Homepage gallery Facebook page Instagram account X feed YouTube page Connect with us on social media to stay updated on the latest news, events, and community initiatives from your Sheriff's Office. Main Gallery Videos Photo Gallery and Archive Our Gallery is updated monthly with new and exciting photos! In case you missed last month's photos! In case you missed the previous month's photos! Video Archive Orange County NC Sheriff's Office Videos Play Video Play Video 07:25 Sheriff's Office Serves community of Orange County, NC Orange County, NC is a diverse, engaged community. The Sheriff's Office serves in surprising ways and enjoys a variety of proactive partnerships. As we emerge from the pandemic, some of the faces have changed since we filmed this video, but the partnerships remain. Sheriff Charles Blackwood and the members of his office look forward to resuming their signature service profile! Thank you to the following: Velasquez Digital Media Communications, Minister Robert Campbell, the Rogers Eubanks Neighborhood Association (RENA), Lydia Lavelle, Town of Carrboro, Pilar Rocha Goldberg, El Centro Hispano, Cordelia Henney, Compass Center, Lindsay Bailey, SafeKids Orange County, Shenae McPherson, Orange County Division on Aging, Mary Kay Kraft, S.A.L.T, Dinah Jeffries, Orange County Emergency Services, Vencelin Harris, Town of Chapel Hill Fire Department, Mark Ezzelle, Governor's Highway Safety Program, and Bob Epting. Play Video Play Video 05:39 Did You Know? Come explore the Orange County (NC) Sheriff's Office! Learn about our divisions and the many ways we serve our community. Play Video Play Video 02:02 Hot Car Demo in Partnership with SafeKids NC Sheriff Charles Blackwood talks about the dangers of hot cars in front of a heat measuring device. Help yourself remember to always check the back seat. Play Video Play Video 03:01 OCSO Lifetrack Program The Lifetrack program at the Orange County Sheriff's Office adds a layer of safety for those caring for loved ones with dementia, cognitive impairments, memory loss, autism, or other conditions. If a program participant wanders away or becomes lost, a receiver helps locate them by tracking a radio signal emitted by a transmitter they wear on their wrist or ankle. Play Video Play Video 06:04 Private video Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff's Office serve the community as School Resource Officers. During Covid-19, they made a video to let students know how much they miss them and how much they care about them. Load More

9b4761a8-37de-4192-a1e1-6a85a2fa845d #74, Storm Recovery July 30, 2025 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall in South Carolina at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2025, weakening into a tropical depression before noon. As late as 5:55 p.m., the National Weather Service maintained Orange County would likely get no more than two inches of rain with a reasonable “worst-case scenario” of less than four inches. As we now know, Chantal stalled, doubled down, and dumped an unprecedented 10 inches of rain in Orange County. One person died when floodwaters trapped her vehicle as she traveled to work. First responders found her body about 18 hours later, changing the lives of her family and friends forever. Other numbers also illustrate the devastation: almost 8,000 calls to 911 telecommunicators, 421 residential properties impacted (of these, the storm destroyed four and delivered major damage to 215 others), 190 residents displaced, 75 crashes/accidents, 14 people injured, and nine road closures. Financially, Orange County suffered more than $20.5 million in residential damage, almost $21 million in commercial destruction, and $28.2 million in harm to facilities such as public works yards and vehicles, water/wastewater treatment plants, and park buildings and equipment. I want to acknowledge the stress and frustration involved in recovering from such a crisis. Times are undoubtedly tough in the aftermath of a natural disaster, and the road can be long. Western North Carolina, still digging out 10 months after Helene, knows the hardship all too well. Fortunately, there is a process in place to assist with recovery. It involves coordinating many levels of government and takes time. The desire to return to normal quickly is understandable, but people who skip prescribed steps risk disqualifying themselves from sources of funding for which they might otherwise be eligible. A full discussion of the process is beyond the scope of this column, but I want to summarize some highlights. It begins when local Emergency Management officials recommend and the chair of the Board of Commissioners declares a State of Emergency, both of which happened on July 7. County and municipal personnel then begin to assess the disaster’s local impact. Residents with damage or excessive debris may register with the county’s “Crisis Track” tool on the readyorange.org website. [This action is one avenue to document damage, but it is not the only way to preserve eligibility for financial relief should it be granted. People should also take photographs and save all receipts.] Additionally, representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration make site visits; both entities have assistance programs with complex eligibility criteria. After Orange County officials compile damage estimates, they submit a preliminary assessment to North Carolina Emergency Management. With damage exceeding $600,000, we potentially qualify for state assistance. Meanwhile, our losses are also combined with those of other affected counties. The collective total is used to determine if the state is eligible for other state and federal assistance. My summary above is a simplified explanation of a complicated financial process. Meanwhile, volunteers begin efforts to help affected people with clean-up and emergency repairs. The Crisis Track reporting tool I mentioned earlier identifies the people who need assistance, their location, and the scope of their trouble. This information is then funneled to volunteer agencies with rosters of trained people ready to help with the physical demands of recovery, and to others capable of managing, tracking, and dispersing financial donations. Most readers are at least somewhat familiar with the services of the American Red Cross. They responded immediately to help with Chantal recovery. Likewise, the North Carolina chapter of Volunteers Active in Disaster (VOAD) convened a diverse group of organizations to alleviate the storm’s impact by delivering services in an effective, efficient manner. According to their vision statement, VOAD wants to “… be the recognized non-governmental leader of the disaster preparedness, response, and recovery sector.” Some of the organizations currently working in Orange County include Baptists on Mission, Team Rubicon, Grounded Boots, the Homebuilders Association, and Habitat for Humanity. Throughout my career, emergency management professionals and I have seen the dangers and inefficiencies of untrained volunteers showing up in the aftermath of a disaster. Despite their good intentions, they are often unprepared and ill-equipped for the danger and difficulty of the work. Likewise, an incoming tide of unsolicited, undirected donations becomes a management, storage, and disbursement challenge, one with which western North Carolina still wrestles. Please see links to agencies on readyorange.org and consider offering your financial support. If you are physically able to help clean-up after disasters, I hope you will consider researching vetted, established volunteer groups in advance of the next crisis. Learn how to join their ranks. Tell them the Sheriff sent you! Previous Next

A twelve-month running archive of the Orange County Sheriff's Office monthly newsletter, The Lowdown. The Lowdown Archive July 30, 2025 #74, Storm Recovery Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall in South Carolina at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2025, weakening into a tropical depression before noon. As late as 5:55 p.m., the National Weather Service maintained Orange County would likely get no more than two inches of rain with a reasonable “worst-case scenario” of less than four inches. As we now know, Chantal stalled, doubled down, and dumped an unprecedented 10 inches of rain in Orange County. One person died when floodwaters trapped her vehicle as she traveled to work. First responders found her body about 18 hours later, changing the lives of her family and friends forever. Other numbers also illustrate the devastation: almost 8,000 calls to 911 telecommunicators, 421 residential properties impacted (of these, the storm destroyed four and delivered major damage to 215 others), 190 residents displaced, 75 crashes/accidents, 14 people injured, and nine road closures. Financially, Orange County suffered more than $20.5 million in residential damage, almost $21 million in commercial destruction, and $28.2 million in harm to facilities such as public works yards and vehicles, water/wastewater treatment plants, and park buildings and equipment. I want to acknowledge the stress and frustration involved in recovering from such a crisis. Times are undoubtedly tough in the aftermath of a natural disaster, and the road can be long. Western North Carolina, still digging out 10 months after Helene, knows the hardship all too well. Fortunately, there is a process in place to assist with recovery. It involves coordinating many levels of government and takes time. The desire to return to normal quickly is understandable, but people who skip prescribed steps risk disqualifying themselves from sources of funding for which they might otherwise be eligible. A full discussion of the process is beyond the scope of this column, but I want to summarize some highlights. It begins when local Emergency Management officials recommend and the chair of the Board of Commissioners declares a State of Emergency, both of which happened on July 7. County and municipal personnel then begin to assess the disaster’s local impact. Residents with damage or excessive debris may register with the county’s “Crisis Track” tool on the readyorange.org website. [This action is one avenue to document damage, but it is not the only way to preserve eligibility for financial relief should it be granted. People should also take photographs and save all receipts.] Additionally, representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration make site visits; both entities have assistance programs with complex eligibility criteria. After Orange County officials compile damage estimates, they submit a preliminary assessment to North Carolina Emergency Management. With damage exceeding $600,000, we potentially qualify for state assistance. Meanwhile, our losses are also combined with those of other affected counties. The collective total is used to determine if the state is eligible for other state and federal assistance. My summary above is a simplified explanation of a complicated financial process. Meanwhile, volunteers begin efforts to help affected people with clean-up and emergency repairs. The Crisis Track reporting tool I mentioned earlier identifies the people who need assistance, their location, and the scope of their trouble. This information is then funneled to volunteer agencies with rosters of trained people ready to help with the physical demands of recovery, and to others capable of managing, tracking, and dispersing financial donations. Most readers are at least somewhat familiar with the services of the American Red Cross. They responded immediately to help with Chantal recovery. Likewise, the North Carolina chapter of Volunteers Active in Disaster (VOAD) convened a diverse group of organizations to alleviate the storm’s impact by delivering services in an effective, efficient manner. According to their vision statement, VOAD wants to “… be the recognized non-governmental leader of the disaster preparedness, response, and recovery sector.” Some of the organizations currently working in Orange County include Baptists on Mission, Team Rubicon, Grounded Boots, the Homebuilders Association, and Habitat for Humanity. Throughout my career, emergency management professionals and I have seen the dangers and inefficiencies of untrained volunteers showing up in the aftermath of a disaster. Despite their good intentions, they are often unprepared and ill-equipped for the danger and difficulty of the work. Likewise, an incoming tide of unsolicited, undirected donations becomes a management, storage, and disbursement challenge, one with which western North Carolina still wrestles. Please see links to agencies on readyorange.org and consider offering your financial support. If you are physically able to help clean-up after disasters, I hope you will consider researching vetted, established volunteer groups in advance of the next crisis. Learn how to join their ranks. Tell them the Sheriff sent you! Read More June 25, 2025 #73 Water Safety My father taught me the irony of water: we spend as much time fighting to keep it out of some places as we do trying to contain it within others. Without it, nothing lives, yet it can be incredibly destructive. That contradiction illustrates a critical truth. We cannot control water, and therein lies its danger, especially when it comes to water safety in the summer. Water is powerful, unpredictable, and deceptive. The phrase “still waters run deep” refers to a quiet, calm person with a complex, interesting, inner life – an apt metaphor for the currents and turmoil often lurking beneath the surface of any body of water. I think of the four-acre pond at the Eno Quarry, which closed in 1964. It has claimed at least four lives and broken the bones of countless others who jumped into its serene beauty only to be surprised by its surprising depth and hidden dangers. Did you know a toddler can drown in only two inches of water? Children that young have small bodies, large heads, and are still figuring out how to control their limbs. They usually find it difficult to return to an upright position if they slip in the bathtub or stick their head into a carwash bucket. One panicked inhalation in the water can lead to a blocked airway. Obviously, the shallow end of a pool and the ocean’s edge are therefore dangerous for little ones. If you’ve seen a drowning depicted on TV, you probably have the wrong expectations. Drowning is a surprisingly silent event, not a noisy, violent episode of splashing and screaming. The person is unlikely to call for help; the human body prioritizes breathing and staying afloat over shouting. Sufferers often look calm or even passive to people standing nearby. Victims are usually vertical in the water, with a tipped back head, a mouth just at water level, and glassy, unfocused eyes. They may appear to be climbing a ladder, but they are not making effective movement in any direction. My wife and I have a pool, and our grandkids love it. But the mere presence of that pool means they are always in danger at our house, not just when we are swimming. If they are on the property, someone must have eyes on them. Around a pool, the water watcher is akin to a designated driver at a bar or party but with even more restrictions. Think about the lifeguards you have known. They sit alone, with no phones, conversations, or other distractions. The job requires total concentration and sobriety. People frequently assume children are safer if many adults surround the pool, lake, or seashore. The reality is that if everyone is “watching the kids,” no one is watching them carefully. Even casual conversation distracts; the risks increase exponentially if people are drinking, reading, or scrolling on their phones. Children who take swimming lessons early in life often experience a decreased fear of the water, increased ability to submerge their faces, and some can even demonstrate a survival float−although they might not understand its purpose. I am all for early swim lessons, as long as no one forgets that children younger than three or four rarely have the physical coordination and the mental judgment to be a competent, water-safe swimmer. Experts do not recommend floaties, water wings, or innertubes. These aids can slip off, pop, or trap a child upside down. Life jackets, also called personal flotation devices or PFDs, are the best form of protection. Manufacturers design them with floatation pads that turn a person – even an unconscious one – face up in the water. Everyone on a boat, not just children, should wear a PFD. Intending to grab one in case of an emergency is like planning to buckle your seatbelt during a traffic crash. If the boat capsizes or collides with another vessel, a PFD will rarely be within your reach when you surface after being thrown into the water. Moreover, if you sustain an injury during the emergency, you may have trouble swimming to a PFD or putting it on. No one, regardless of ability, should swim alone. Leave the water if you hear thunder or see lightning. Have a rescue plan, make sure you have a phone nearby, and learn CPR. Water both enhances and threatens life – sometimes in the same moment. Tragedy happens when we assume it won’t. Stay sober, take your turn watching, and above all, respect the power of water. That simple act can mean everything. ### Read More May 28, 2025 #72, Peelian Principles Guide In 1829, Sir Robert Peel established three core ideas and nine principles central to ethical law enforcement. I encourage you to look him up. Often considered the father of modern policing, his almost 200-year-old work has aged quite well. The “Peelian Principles” continue to underpin my beliefs about ethical law enforcement and community relations. In brief, Peel’s core ideas state that law enforcement’s primary goal is to prevent crime, not catch criminals; public support is the key to crime prevention; and officers gain this support by respecting the community. I agree with Peel’s thinking. My team knows I expect professional, ethical, and empathetic behavior as we interact with the people we serve, and we enjoy widespread support. We recognize how special this support is. In recent years, the news media has pushed a narrative of widespread dissatisfaction with law enforcement, amplifying the voices of those clamoring to defund the police. Moreover, and perhaps most disingenuously, journalists hammered away at stories of extensive vacancies and officer attrition as if there were a dishonorable explanation for the departures. They frequently failed to provide the highly relevant context that the 1994 Crime Bill and financial grants from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program enabled the hiring of over 100,000 new officers and deputies in the United States leading to a significant reduction in crime. Thirty years later, those hires are completing their careers and earning retirement, just as do other civil servants such as teachers, health department workers, and courtroom clerks. Likewise, our agency congratulated many experienced deputies and detention officers on their retirements in recent years. Fortunately, we have not suffered the number of vacancies other agencies faced. We continue to enjoy a steady influx of talent as we hire people new to the profession and offer positions to seasoned professionals from other agencies. I like to think the word is out that the Orange County Sheriff’s Office delivers community confidence and safety, and it is easy to sell products you believe in. Success breeds success. Businesses want to open in communities where people feel safe to move about and explore. Criminals tend to avoid places bustling with positive energy, and as people feel safer, they stay out longer, spend more, and talk about how much they love the area in which they live. Thriving businesses seek out such vibrant communities, and as they grow, so does the commercial tax base. Local government then has additional resources to invest in schools and use for infrastructure improvements. As a rising tide lifts all boats, a thriving community also makes the area more attractive to people who want a public safety career. My office currently operates at 93% of our employment capacity, an enviable statistic. I am fortunate to have a recruiter who works hard to find qualified candidates, especially those who are a good fit for our agency. We serve in an honorable profession, and it is one with a lower barrier to entry than some others, as a college degree is not a prerequisite. A motivated candidate can complete the application process in 30-45 days. Once hired, a person starts working in the detention center, gaining experience, and eventually choosing whether to continue serving there, or to pursue the additional training necessary to become a deputy. If the new-employee already holds law enforcement certification when hired, they generally work in the detention center for a shorter period, meeting colleagues, learning our culture, and waiting for an opening in the field-training program. We begin incorporating new team members into the fabric of our agency immediately. First, and most importantly, we orient them to the standard of our office and make it clear that everyone must commit to upholding it. Second, we provide strong leadership and support from the top down as new employees acclimate to our brand of service-delivery. Third, we demonstrate that we value our employees, and we do so by investing in appropriate training and high-quality equipment. When people feel both committed to the mission and valued by the team, a culture of stability grows, benefitting the individual, the agency, and the broader community. Someone will wear the badge. I want to find the best and the brightest to have that privilege. Once hired, it is my job to lead in such a way that our employees believe serving with us is work worthy of their time and talents. If you or someone you know might be a good fit, please call Sergeant Glenn Powell at 919-245-2944. ### Read More April 30, 2025 #71, Scams When people get scammed, they sometimes hesitate to report what happened because they are embarrassed. However, almost anyone can fall into a sophisticated trap and make a judgment error. Scammers are highly trained, and good at what they do. They take advantage of people by exploiting fear, hooking into a desire for easy money, or manipulating social isolation or loneliness. First, let’s look at fear scam examples. A person claiming to be a deputy calls, informing you of a warrant for your arrest for missing jury duty. Pay the bond AT ONCE or be in jail by suppertime. Perhaps you open a text from E-ZPass with a final reminder about unpaid tolls. PAY NOW or incur additional fines and face legal action. Maybe you get a call about your grandchild on spring break in a foreign county, now jailed because of bad judgment or hospitalized following a horrific car crash. Wire money WITHOUT DELAY before he or she misses the flight home or dies because of lack of medical care. If you hear high-pressure scare tactics like these, activate your skepticism. Remember that panic is the enemy of clear thought. Tell the deputy to call you back in 10 minutes. Ask yourself how E-ZPass would have your phone number. Think about why the “jail” or “hospital” called you, not your grandchild’s parent. One thing is certain. No representative of a legitimate agency will ask for payment in Walmart (or other) gift cards or crypto currency. Hang up on anyone who does. Likewise, no representative from a utility company, financial firm, or government office should have an issue if you ask for a written description of the alleged problem. Another common ruse is for scammers to look for people willing to forget common sense when faced with a great deal. For example, a scammer might offer to pay $5,000 for a car listed for $3,000 on Facebook Marketplace. Someone might offer to pay thousands of dollars to anyone willing to help him or her claim a large inheritance. In both cases, the scammer counts on the victim being so eager for easy money that he or she will eventually slip and act against his or her own self-interest. The best defense is to remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is! I think there is a special place in hell for those who take advantage of elderly, isolated, or lonely people. Some criminals form on-line relationships with teenagers and slowly build trust. Eventually, the scammer asks for and receives sensitive photos which he or she then uses to blackmail the victim. Other scammers target elderly people, perhaps those whose spouse recently died. As daily contact becomes a vital emotional connection, long-distance romance blossoms, soon followed by requests for ever-increasing amounts of money. Eventually, the victim ends up with an empty wallet and a broken heart. Worldwide, scammers bilked people out of more than an estimated trillion dollars in 2024. Often employed in organized call centers, they receive training, work from a script, and have fake credentials. Some even receive voice coaching to help them either exaggerate or minimize an accent. Unfortunately, artificial intelligence tools are increasing the sophistication of the industry even further. Although some scammers get caught and serve significant federal prison sentences, these crimes are difficult to prosecute. Call centers are often in other countries where we do not have arrest powers, and collaboration with overseas law enforcement agencies can be a complicated, slow process. Scammers use sophisticated layers of technology, including virtual private networks, encryption, and burner phones. They can make it appear they are calling from a local number, despite being thousands of miles away. They change numbers, networks, and tactics constantly, frustrating law enforcements’ efforts to ascertain patterns and gather sufficient evidence for arrest or conviction. Furthermore, scammers usually require hard-to-trace payment such as gift cards, bitcoin, or wire transfers. Reporting a scam to law enforcement rarely leads to recovering money, but it is still a good idea. We can help limit the possibility of additional loss by educating victims about next steps to take, including placing alerts with credit bureaus. Additionally, each victim’s experience helps investigators learn new patterns and emerging criminal trends, helping us prevent others from suffering similar losses. When it comes to scams, prevention is easier than prosecution. Please educate yourself about this growing problem. Share what you learn with family and friends, especially those who might be vulnerable. Watch our Facebook page to learn about increased local activity or new twists on old routines. Call our Community Services Division at 919-245-2921 for more information. ### Read More March 26, 2025 #70, Parallels of Courage with Special Olympics Spearheaded by the long-time advocacy and hard work of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation and the Chicago Park District organized the first Special Olympics Summer Games for people with intellectual disabilities in July 1968. Approximately 1,000 athletes participated. Five million people now participate annually in competitions across the globe. In fact, three athletes from North Carolina returned earlier this month from the Winter Games in Turin, Italy. Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) is one of the largest Special Olympics programs in the world, providing more than 40,000 athletes year-round opportunities to participate, train, and compete in more than two dozen sports. In May, the SONC will hold the Summer Games at venues in Cary, Holly Springs, and Raleigh, with over 1,300 competitors. Registered athletes participate in Special Olympics free of charge. They do not pay for uniforms, awards, facility usage, transportation, or training fees. Many fundraising efforts make participation possible, and I want to highlight the important contribution of law enforcement officers, starting with the well-known Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). The LETR began in 1981 when six police officers in Wichita, Kansas raised $300.00 carrying what is now known as the Flame of Hope. Three years later, the International Chiefs of Police endorsed Special Olympics as their official charity. Law enforcement officers from federal, state, county, local, tribal, and military agencies have since raised more than one billion dollars, all while increasing awareness of the capabilities and achievements of participants. I participated in the torch run three times earlier in my career. Today, the Law Enforcement Torch Run is nearly as synonymous with Special Olympics as cookie sales are with Girl Scouts. Locally, our torch run raises money primarily through T-shirt sales. Officials will announce the date for this year’s local event soon. I recently read an article by Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Captain Ernest Bille, who attended the International LETR conference in November 2024. In it, he discussed the Special Olympic Athletes’ Oath which participants recite before every competition: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” Within its simplicity, a law enforcement officer can find profound meaning and draw analogies between the principles of competition and the ideals and values of our profession. Captain Bille began by defining what winning means to a deputy or officer. We strive to return home safely after each shift while also behaving with integrity, serving with courage, treating others with professionalism, and protecting our communities. He then examined the “But if I cannot win…” portion of the oath, which hints at the challenges law enforcement professionals face. We encounter persistent societal issues. Routinely, we face the dark and grim realities of violence, mental illness, death, and addiction. As Captain Bille notes, “…we establish and hold the line – we don’t cross it,” no matter the level of frustration, the challenging actions of others, or our frequent inability to fix the entrenched problems of those who seek our help. Even when we cannot achieve our desired outcome, we can still “win” by behaving ethically. In the oath’s conclusion, “…let me be brave in the attempt,” we hear a plea for the strength to approach our duties with the same idealism that originally called us to service. Noble intentions can waver when battered by stress, emotional strain, and the risk of injury or death. I have written previously about the toll critical incidents take on deputies. Most people have two or three such exposures in a lifetime; law enforcement officers have 18 PER YEAR. We see a tremendous amount of trauma in our work. It takes courage to put oneself out there again and again without developing a jaded perspective or a calloused heart. Athletes with intellectual disabilities demonstrate optimism and perseverance despite numerous challenges. In our own way, law enforcement professionals do the same. Captain Bille seems to suggest these parallels explain why we are so passionate about fundraising for Special Olympians: we are inspired by their resiliency and salute their courage. In Orange County, we also participate in other Special Olympic fundraising efforts. In April, we have a seven-person team competing at RDU Airport in a Pull the Plane competition. Which agency’s team can move a 50,000-pound plane 25 feet in the shortest time? In October, we hold a golf tournament, and there are rumors about a polar plunge next winter. Please watch for these opportunities to support Special Olympians or go to sonc.net to donate. Thank you. ### Read More February 26, 2025 #69, A Decade in Review So much in life depends on perspective. For example, the fact that I am midway through my third term strikes me as mildly interesting. But the fact that I’ve been serving as Sheriff for over 10 years blows my mind! When first elected, I worried about taking the reins of a large agency with varied, complex, and sometimes dangerous responsibilities. My predecessor served for 32 years, and agencies can be slow to change. I remain pleasantly surprised at how quickly we established a new organizational culture by focusing on open communication. I prioritized providing the training, equipment, and support the staff deserved. I knew I wanted members of my staff to be the best possible versions of themselves, but I did not realize yet how much watching them improve, grow, and achieve their goals would mean to me personally. Although a sheriff is obviously a law enforcement professional, I spend most of my time communicating with others and building relationships. Through interactions with the chiefs of surrounding agencies, members of community groups, and local, state, and federal leaders, I’ve learned the importance of establishing partnerships before the blue and red lights flash. Trust is hard won and easily broken, and nurturing these connections is one of the most impactful ways I can support my staff and improve community safety. In law enforcement, trust is everything. I thought it might be interesting to share which technological advancement I feel revolutionized law enforcement the most during the last decade, and I really tried to answer this question. I considered our improved ballistic protection, safer vehicles, in-car data terminals, incredible optics and scopes on our firearms, social media connectivity, body worn cameras, mobile phone applications, radios with improved interoperability, advanced cell phone technology, and our drone fleet. But as I grew increasingly frustrated trying to identify the most stunning technological advance, I realized something truly profound. No piece of technology will ever compare to the dedication of those who step forward to serve. Shiny new toys and capabilities are great, but humans will always be the X-factor. Readers might wonder if I can point to a single event that impacted our agency the most thus far in my tenure. Without a doubt, that would be the senseless murders of 14-year-old Lyric Woods and 18-year-old Devin Clark in September 2022. This case hit home for many of us, especially those with children. My daughter, now a mother herself, tells me she finally understands why I always told her before she left the house, “Be careful and be smart.” A case like that changes a community. Horror, grief, fear, and outrage can leave us all struggling to remember that although evil exists, it is still a beautiful world. If I could obliterate one issue from the landscape of Orange County, I would choose opioids. Over the past decade, countless calls directly involved, or resulted from, the use of these drugs. This list includes break-ins, people stealing from family and friends, the exacerbation of mental illnesses, profound impacts on personal relationships, and a tendency to increase poverty. I’ve experienced two major personal changes during my tenure: the death of my mother and the births of my grandchildren. My mother was proud to see me become Sheriff, and although I miss her, I am grateful for the lessons she taught me and the sacrifices she and my father made. I try to honor her legacy of service before self, and I hope to pass those lessons to my three- and five-year-old grandsons. My love for them is deeper than I can explain. At their young ages, all they really understand is that I am like Woody the Sheriff, their favorite character from the movie Toy Story, but I hope one day they will be proud of me, too. Nothing about being Sheriff has changed my favorite food or my favorite day of the year. I still love a cheeseburger with mustard, chili, onions, and slaw, and I still love my birthday, February 19, because it marks important progress toward warmer weather and abundant daylight. I hate the cold and find winter depressing, but soon after my birthday, color begins to return, and a dormant landscape awakens. The saying “Love what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life,” rings true for me. After 10 years as sheriff and over 40 in the Sheriff’s Office, I remain excited to come to work every day. I am grateful to the voters for their trust, and I thank my family, my staff, and their families for their continued dedication and support. ### Read More January 29, 2025 #68, Missing Teens Earlier this month, just after posting a news release about a missing teenager, we received four media inquiries asking if we thought the child were in danger. Shortly thereafter, a social media follower expressed a desire for us to provide at least minimal context for missing teen news releases and requested we include whether we believed the child was voluntarily missing. These inquiries concern me because they may signal the first step in a dismissive process. I understand that people want to know into which mental box they should file the situation: might this be something that affects everyone in the community such as a kidnapper, serial killer, sexual predator or the like? Or is this perhaps an unhappy or headstrong teen and therefore of no pressing concern to anyone other than the child’s immediate family and friends? The possibility that readers might reach this latter conclusion bothers me a great deal. No one should be comfortable when adults cannot locate a 15-year-old, no matter the reason. Rest assured, if we issue a news release that begins with the sentence, “The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help,” it is because we are concerned for someone’s safety. We want people to rally around that fact, keep their eyes open for the missing person, and maybe even ask their own children if they know anything that might be useful. We do not want, and cannot afford, for anyone to dismiss the situation. A child missing for any reason is endangered. Regardless of whether a teen ran away, or perhaps just snuck out of the house, if that child stays gone several hours or even days, the outcomes all too often are not good. The situation is therefore an urgent one, and as a community that cares about its youth, we need to treat it accordingly. If someone is missing, it means we don’t know where he or she is or if he or she is safe, and therefore the context does not matter. We simply cannot declare that such a person is not in danger. Let’s talk about teenagers for a minute. I would wager that almost everyone (except people older than 12 and younger than 20!) would agree that adolescents, in general, are not known for their careful consideration before acting. Many would also remember some of the decisions they made at that age and cringe, maybe with horror, at how impulsive or ill-advised some of their choices were. My mother used to say, “Nothing good ever happens after 11 o’clock.” Although I used to hate that expression, as a parent and grandparent, I understand now what she meant. Too many kids die in crashes, commit stupid pranks that turn out to be criminal acts, become victims of sexual assault, flop in unsafe residential spaces, ingest questionable substances, or trust the wrong person who offers to buy them a hamburger. My communications manager reports that others have accused her (apparently more than once!) of getting lost in the weeds. But she repeatedly tells me she will not say that a missing child or teenager is not in any danger as a code for “this kid is a runaway.” She firmly believes that if no adult knows - at least vaguely - the whereabouts of an adolescent, there might be a problem. She also understands that sometimes, the teen leaves home because the very adult(s) who should be protecting that child are doing anything but. However, she is not insensitive to the human tendency to seek additional information to contextualize the situation. She therefore includes information to help readers frame their understanding of the circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance. If she writes that a teen “left his residence” she is not-too-subtly hinting that the child did not suffer a kidnapping. If she adds information about where the child might be (“possibly in the White Cross area”), there is a strong possibility that deputies have some inkling about where - or in whose company- the missing person might be. Likewise, if my communication manager does not include suspect details, recommendations for increased vigilance, or information about a ransom note, she is probably telegraphing that the community at large has nothing to fear. Instead, we simply need help finding a vulnerable person. I support her approach, and we will continue to report the facts as we know them. To sum it up in one sentence, a missing child is an endangered child, and we are not going to tell you otherwise. ### Read More December 24, 2024 #67, The Power of Partnerships I often emphasize the importance of partnerships and the power of working together towards a common goal. I also tend to get reflective in December! As we close out the year, two events stand out as examples of how partnerships prove essential to our ability to serve the public and respond effectively to crises. Law enforcement officers, emergency responders, and members of the criminal justice community form partnerships in three primary ways. We network at conferences and trainings, where we learn, compare strategies, and swap stories about our successes and challenges. We form alliances while serving on various boards or committees where we have opportunities to brainstorm and hear about the experiences of others. We also forge these bonds in the field when we respond to crises affecting multiple jurisdictions and involving more than our own area of expertise. Coalitions formed during rapidly evolving, tense, and dangerous situations tend to be particularly strong. One situation exemplifying the power of partnerships occurred this past summer as multiple agencies worked together to find a convicted murderer who escaped from North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections (DAC) personnel as their transport van arrived at the UNC Hospital in Hillsborough. The inmate traveled through unincorporated Orange County, across multiple jurisdictions, and eventually to Kannapolis more than 100 miles away. I quickly contacted Emergency Services Director Kirby Saunders. From past collaborations, I knew the value of his skills and capabilities. We have worked many critical incidents together searching for lost people, and an escaped prisoner is a missing person who doesn’t want to be found. Thanks to my relationship with Director Saunders and other strong, pre-existing partnerships, I assembled a multi-jurisdictional, cross-disciplinary team within hours. This group then efficiently conducted a massive manhunt lasting several days before successfully returning the person to DAC custody. But here’s an interesting twist: while I was feeling gratitude for longstanding partnerships, new relationships were forming, one of which would prove instrumental prior to the end of the year! Let me explain. During the search, Director Saunders met and worked with Kenneth Smith, Chief of Emergency Preparedness for DAC, and saved his contact information. In late September, Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, causing catastrophic destruction, death, and trauma. The storm obliterated power, water, and communications systems and washed away roads. People were trapped, injured, or unaccounted for, and downed trees and missing bridges hampered search and rescue efforts. Although all first responder agencies have a role to play in such disasters, preparing for and coordinating the response to such an event are some of the primary functions of emergency management professionals like Director Saunders and Chief Smith. Within days, Saunders deployed to Black Mountain to assist with the logistics of the recovery efforts. While listening to one of many coordination briefings, Saunders learned that the storm rendered two nearby prisons uninhabitable. Combined, 400 incarcerated women were living without power or water, creating unsafe and dangerous conditions for them and the staff charged with their protection. Where to move them and how to transport them safely despite the infrastructure problems were huge challenges. If DAC officials could not relocate the offenders quickly, they would need law enforcement officers to provide additional security at the two facilities, depleting the number available for critical search and rescue missions. Upon hearing of this problem, Saunders immediately recalled meeting Chief Smith during the manhunt. He called Chief Smith on Sunday, and they discussed and established evacuation plans. Monday morning, buses arrived at the two facilities. By evening, authorities safely re-located all offenders. Emergency management officials no longer needed to worry about the safety of the women or a shortage of people available for search and rescue efforts. Next, Saunders and Smith worked together to get permission to allow the town to use the now empty prisons as receiving locations for incoming bulk commodities such as fuel and water. These items required either secure storage or law enforcement personnel to protect them. Through the synergy of their relationship, Saunders and Smith found a solution that did not require scaling back other critical work. As we move into a new year, I find myself marveling at both the power of nature and that of human connection. We must maintain a collective commitment to helping our neighbors in western North Carolina. I resolve to nurture my existing partnerships and devote energy to building more of them. I encourage you to do the same. Best wishes for a safe and healthy 2025! ### Read More November 27, 2024 #66, Shop with the Sheriff Fun fact: Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and November 28 is the latest day upon which the holiday can fall. By the time the weekend is over, it will be December. Therefore, now is the perfect time to share one of my favorite holiday traditions – Shop with the Sheriff – which is December 6 this year. This annual event is a major undertaking at our office. It requires energy, dedication, and enthusiasm to pull off. We start by partnering with social workers at Orange County elementary schools. They identify approximately 25 children whose family’s circumstances make holiday celebrations particularly challenging. Most commonly, those factors are financial, but the selection process is not one-dimensional. The social workers also consider students for whom community support and a joyous morning might provide respite from other negative factors influencing their childhoods. Chief Deputy Tina Sykes puts her heart and soul into making Shop with the Sheriff a success. She will tell you that it is, by far, the most rewarding day of the year. I asked her why she loves it so much, and she said, “It’s the look on their faces when we pick them up. It is pure joy. Just for a little bit, it is all about them, and they can be distracted from whatever it is that makes their lives difficult.” Bus driver Kay McPherson sets the tone. As the students board the bus at each school, she tells them to pretend she is driving Santa’s sleigh. She points to the patrol cars and motorcycles waiting in front of the bus and compares them to reindeer clearing the path. The kids love watching the escort vehicles as they stop traffic to let the bus proceed unimpeded to the next stop, and eventually to Wal-Mart, which we refer to as the North Pole. Once they arrive, I climb on the bus to greet the kids and pump them up even more. I want them to know how excited we are to spend the next few hours with them. As each student steps off the bus, a detention officer, deputy, staff member, or volunteer greets them, armed with a list of that child’s clothing sizes and general interests. During the ensuing shopping experience, students can purchase whatever they want up to the spending limit. Some race around and select their items within 10 minutes. Others are more discerning. They proceed slowly, carefully considering costs and making deliberate choices. It never fails that at least one child will purchase presents for parents or siblings instead of buying gifts for him or herself. One year, a group of kids who recently arrived in North Carolina from a warmer climate only wanted to buy clothes and boots suitable for winter. And poignantly, some children ask if they can purchase groceries. As you might imagine, requests like the ones I am describing really yank our heartstrings. We shop in advance and purchase an outfit, jacket, gloves, and a hat for each participant. Additionally, generous businesses donate restaurant gift cards and practical items like toothbrushes and toothpaste. Most of the credit for sourcing these extra surprises goes to First Lieutenant Daniel Roberson who leads our Community Services Division. He builds relationships throughout the year and helps people understand how necessary widespread support is to the success of this initiative. The management team at Wal-Mart pulls out all the stops. The staff clearly enjoys the bedlam, extra cashiers work dedicated checkout lines for us, and we have permission to take over the employee breakroom for a pizza-party. While we celebrate with the kids, volunteers pack the gifts into Santa’s giant red gift bags for transportation back to the schools where parents pick them up. As we run around the store, other shoppers stop and stare, and no one seems annoyed by the chaos. Every year, some shoppers press cash into our hands or ask how they can donate. Fortunately, that process is easy. The Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Organization, a 501(c)(3) organization, accepts tax-deductible contributions throughout the year to sponsor such initiatives. They also host fundraisers like the spring Chicken Pickin’ and the Hog Day roasted corn sale. We are grateful for their support. We always get back more than we give as the children reward us with smiles, hugs, and silliness. If you need an hour or so of holiday cheer, come witness the fun at the Hampton Pointe Wal-Mart on December 6! If you can’t make it, get in the spirit by viewing photographs on our app and Facebook page. ### Read More October 30, 2024 #65, New Phone App Recently, we launched a new custom smartphone application to enhance the connection between our office and Orange County residents and visitors. Our goal is to make it easier for users to learn about our work, request various services, and communicate with our staff. TheSheriffApp.com, a brand of OCV, LLC., specializes in mobile app development for sheriffs’ offices and public safety organizations across the country. They worked with our communications staff to develop an app that provides quick access to items of public interest and is simple to use. In just a few clicks, users can find answers to frequently asked questions, learn about fingerprinting, express interest in employment, apply for many of the services we offer, submit a tip, commend or complain about an employee, learn about detention center policies, access our social media posts, and read our press releases. According to OCV Partner and CRO Kevin Cummings, “Over 80 percent of people in the United States own and use smartphones as their primary means of communication. Mobile apps offer agencies a better way to alert, inform, and prepare the public. Apps allow public safety agencies the ability to reach and serve their citizens where they are: their smartphones.” A notification bar sits at the top of the home page. This tool helps us push important information straight to subscribers’ mobile devices. In addition to automatic alerts from the National Weather Service, users receive our press releases, crime news, and traffic alerts. We believe community members will benefit from receiving important news in a timely manner directly on their phones, and when relevant, we will pair the written content with photos of, for example, road hazards and traffic conditions. The app also contains convenient, direct links to our social media pages. The first two feature buttons in the app, the FAQ section and the Submit a Tip option, sit right under the notification bar. This placement is deliberate. We want users to find answers to common inquiries and efficiently report information about crime, traffic, illegal activity, or share concerns about the safety of our students and schools. Many of the feature buttons on our old app merely directed users to the relevant section of our web page. Unfortunately, that page, currently undergoing revision, became rather text heavy over the years. Often a person would end up viewing a PDF, which can be cumbersome to navigate on a small screen. We wanted user-friendly content on our new app; most of it is native to the program and does not require routing people to the web to find what they need. We hope navigating the app is intuitive, with information organized into clear, concise, and understandable chunks. We also want people to locate information where they expect it might be, not only where we think it fits best. For example, although the app has a designated fingerprinting section on the home screen, we also included information about that service in the FAQ section. Likewise, our detention center is still a relatively new facility. Information about its location is included within the Detention feature button, the Sheriff’s Welcome section, and in the FAQ area. We are particularly pleased with the Property Catalog, as we know most people struggle to stay organized and keep up with purchase dates, serial numbers, and the value of their possessions. But when people call us about lost or stolen property, we need that information to increase the likelihood of recovery. With the click of a button and a few keystrokes, app users can input the name and relevant details about their valuables into a private catalog and add photos to the file. In the event of a stolen vehicle, the user can share the VIN and license plate numbers, an image, and any other relevant info with the responding deputy without delay instead of searching for the records at home or calling the Department of Motor Vehicles. This tool is also great for storing serial numbers of televisions, chain saws, computers, etc. The free app is now available for download from the App Store and Google Play by searching for “Orange County Sheriff, NC” or by clicking here . Be sure you include NC in your search; many other states also have Orange Counties. Or better yet, point your phone’s camera at the QR code below for a direct download. Please explore the app and help us improve it by providing feedback. Contact Alicia Stemper, our communications manager, with your suggestions at (919) 245-2963 or email her at astemper@orangecountync.gov . Read More September 25, 2025 #64, School Safety Threats and Rumors Earlier this month, we faced a flurry of online messages raising concern about school safety. Most were vague or made in other counties and states but later viewed by someone locally. In one case, we learned of a post referencing “OCMS.” We do not have a school in our district known by those initials, but we had to consider whether the post intended to reference Orange Middle School (OMS). Later, we learned the post referred to Otter Creek Middle School in Terra Haute, Indiana. Many school districts are wrestling with similar issues. Authorities in Georgia recently charged more than 30 people in connection with threats made against the safety of educational property. Law enforcement officers in several other states also reported arrests. We know that parents appreciate transparency and the opportunity to make informed choices. In that spirit, we notify the community when we learn of rumors. However, we are also aware that even talking about vague, unsubstantiated concerns raises anxiety and increases absenteeism. Neither of these is good for anyone. We take disturbing social media posts and emails seriously. No leader charged with community safety can afford to do otherwise. Even when we are unable to substantiate a threat, we increase our law enforcement presence at schools as a precaution, and we work with school system staff to inform the community. Sharing information when concerns are vague, non-specific, and unsubstantiated may have the unintended effect of creating white noise. I am reminded of the Aesop fable known as “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” and I ask myself if these repeated warnings will eventually dilute concern to the point where people ignore critical threats. However, as we move forward, we will continue to inform people of concerns or rumors. We will also notify the community about credible and verified threats to the safety of the school community. We hope people recognize that there is a difference, and we will do our best to make it crystal clear by the words we choose. The school population needs to be safe from violence, and free from the interruption, fear, and distraction that whispers and inuendo cause. Arrests are increasing across the country for communicating a threat of mass violence on educational property - a clear signal that communities have no tolerance for those who threaten the safety of students and staff in our schools. Make no mistake. I am committed to identifying and prosecuting those who threaten or cause harm in our schools – even if they are juveniles. Parents also may face charges for contributing to the delinquency or neglect of a minor if they provide mobile devices to their children and fail to monitor their activities. Please talk to your kids. Make sure they understand that if they see a message that concerns them, the proper response is to talk about it with you or a trusted adult at school. Tell them they are not to copy, forward, or share the message with other students. Spreading rumors or threats by electronic means is the modern-day equivalent of yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theatre. It leads to panic and harm while complicating our efforts to verify and appropriately respond to real and dangerous threats. Likewise, please model the same behavior for your students. Before posting about a rumor, or adding your opinion to someone else’s thread, take a deep breath and ask yourself if what you are about to type is helpful. Are you sure it’s true? If it is just your feeling, do you need to post it for strangers to read? Maybe your time would be better spent calling the school or law enforcement to share your concern or reaching out to a friend for support. I am not minimizing anyone’s fears. I have grandchildren, and I see the worry in my daughter’s eyes. But we all need to manage the fear and work collectively to address this problem, rather than spinning a situation into an emotional frenzy that just feeds on itself and grows ever more chaotic. There are dozens of law enforcement officers and school personnel who are trained in threat assessment and response. We have resources to investigate threats and to power up increased safety protocols. If you or your children haveinformation about a potential threat, contact your school, call law enforcement, or use the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (www.saysomething.net ) and let us get to work. Read More August 28, 2024 #63, OC Alerts, and an escaped convict Two weeks ago, we were actively searching for convicted murderer Ramone Alston who jumped from a North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (DAC) transport vehicle upon arriving at UNC Hospital in Hillsborough. On foot, he headed north across Waterstone Drive and through a residential area. A witness saw him running past a neighborhood swimming pool, still wearing a belly chain and handcuffs. Shortly thereafter, he vanished into the woods. As an agency, our primary responsibility is to keep Orange County residents and visitors safe and able to move freely about their lives. Therefore, our top goals were to protect our community from Alston while assisting DAC with their efforts to capture him. Alston evaded capture for 67 hours before law enforcement officers removed him from a hotel room in Kannapolis 110 miles away and returned him to DAC custody. I want to share what we were doing in the interim and tell you about a critical service that can keep you informed in a variety of crisis situations. A search for an escaped prisoner requires resources and organization. After establishing a law-enforcement perimeter around the hospital campus, initiating K-9 searches, and deploying drone units to watch for Alston from the sky, I contacted Emergency Services Director Kirby Saunders and requested his help. Orange County Emergency Management (OCEM) is responsible for the preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery from all hazards in Orange County. As such, OCEM arranged for the Orange County Campus of Durham Technical Community College to be our command center and began organizing hundreds of law enforcement officers arriving to help with the manhunt. Almost immediately, the OCEM team pushed out a message using a reverse 911 process and the OC Alerts notification system to many of the people living within a three-mile radius of the hospital campus. The message provided a description of Alston and told residents what to do if they saw him. Unfortunately, such “push messages” do not reach as many people as would be ideal. When most people had landline telephones, reverse 911 systems could blanket residents within defined geographical areas. Now, almost 75% of people in the US only use wireless phones. Therefore, it is critical for people without a landline to register their cell phones with OC Alerts. Currently, this valuable system is vastly underutilized. Although the Orange County population is approximately 150,000, only 12,853 people are registered. That is only 8.5 percent! Many people believe they will receive all relevant messages because they have received an AMBER alert or other safety message that “blew up” their phone. That belief is incorrect. Emergency management personnel can blanket all phones in an area in only two types of emergencies. The situation must either meet very specific and regulated qualifiers such as in the case of an AMBER or Blue alert, or the danger must pose a critical threat to everyone in the area. A critical threat might require evacuation or cause near-certain death if residents do not take immediate action. Examples include dam failures, airborne toxic chemicals, or raging and fast-moving wildfires. Please go to www.ReadyOrange.org for information about disaster and emergency preparedness. The link to sign up for OC alerts is prominent in the middle of this page. Create an account, provide your phone number or email, and select the type of alerts you want to receive. The system allows you to identify special needs you or your family may have. Additionally, you can indicate whether you have specialized training or are willing to volunteer your skills or equipment during a crisis. You can also go directly to the sign-up page at www.ocalertsnc.com . Returning to the events of two weeks ago, about two hours after issuing the first OC Alert, OCEM sent a second, similar message. This time they hit all landlines and registered cell phones within a five-mile radius. Obviously, the longer Alston was on the move, the farther away he could be, so they targeted a wider area. We continued the ground search for two days: 335 members from 19 law enforcement agencies thoroughly covered 1335 acres. When finished, we could say with confidence that Alston was no longer in Orange County. Meanwhile, investigators continued their intelligence operation, gathering and analyzing the information that ultimately led to locating Alston. He is now in a maximum-security prison, and we arrested two people for aiding and abetting his escape. We are extremely grateful to our OCEM partners – they are unsung heroes. Please thank them by creating or updating your existing OC Alert account. ### Read More Load More

f8cd7fcc-bc95-4a98-9399-546a47cb7b3d < Back DEPUTIES INVESTIGATING DEATH May 17, 2025 Hillsborough, NC (May 17, 2025)- Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to Hawk Ridge Road at approximately 2 pm this afternoon after a person walking a dog found human remains. With the assistance of the medical examiner, investigators will work to identify the decedent and circumstances surrounding his or her death. Hawk Ridge Road is off Dodsons Crossroad in the southern part of the county just north of Highway 54. Anyone with any information is asked to call Sergeant K. Goodwin, the lead investigator, at (919) 245-2918. There are no additional details to report at this time; more information will be provided as it becomes available. ### Previous Next OCSO NEWS RELEASE-standard_edited.jpg OCSO NEWS RELEASE-standard_edited.jpg 1/1