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5d03fa4c-1f58-424b-bba7-025b69b22ded #84, Anatomy of a DWI May 27, 2026 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood “Don’t drink and drive.” If you asked 100 people whether those words are good advice, I wager all would agree. The statistical relationship between blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and crash risk is well established and ranks among the most replicated findings in traffic safety research. However, it is deeply disturbing that North Carolina law enforcement officers arrested 14,655 people for driving while impaired (DWI) in 2024. A law enforcement officer in North Carolina must prove three essential elements beyond a reasonable doubt to secure a DWI conviction. The defendant must drive or operate a vehicle on a street, highway, or in a public vehicular area while impaired. A person meets this last element if he or she is under the influence of any impairing substance ─ including prescription drugs or marijuana ─ that causes an appreciable loss of normal bodily or mental faculties. A person is also impaired if he or she has a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher, or any amount of a Schedule I controlled substance or its metabolites in the blood or urine. Although many people are aware of the 0.08 percent BAC limit, they may not understand the corresponding degree of impairment. A standard drink is five ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor, or a 12-ounce beer. An average-sized man may reach a 0.08 percent BAC after consuming four to five standard drinks within a single hour. Meanwhile, it might take only three to four drinks for a woman. Please note these are broad generalizations. Some people are significantly impaired with a lower BAC, and others may appear to function well despite consuming a higher number of standard drinks. Regardless, with a 0.08 percent BAC, a person is considered legally impaired ─ drunk, and not merely buzzed. Accordingly, he or she experiences slower reaction time, poor coordination, and diminished judgment, all of which are necessary for safely operating a vehicle. We aim to remove impaired drivers from Orange County roads, as we see too many preventable alcohol-related tragedies. Fortunately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration established six categories of visual clues to help law enforcement officers identify drivers who may be drunk. For example, if a motorist has trouble maintaining proper lane position, demonstrated by weaving, swerving, or almost striking another object, the probability that the driver’s BAC exceeds 0.08 ranges between 50 and 70 percent. If a deputy observes multiple clues or clues from more than one category, the likelihood that the driver is impaired increases. After observing clues and conducting a traffic stop, the officer asks for the driver’s license and registration and likely directs the driver to exit the vehicle. Drivers must comply with such requests; however, they retain other rights, such as remaining silent or requesting legal counsel. A deputy suspecting impairment usually asks the driver to perform standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs) to evaluate the person’s condition. Although the driver can refuse, the magistrate may use such a refusal as an indicator that weighs in favor of establishing probable cause to arrest. SFSTs include looking for specific involuntary eye movements, the walk-and-turn test, and a one-leg stand. Again, the more clues a driver exhibits, the higher the probability the BAC is above a 0.08 percent. If the deputy still believes the person is appreciably impaired, he or she will transport the driver to the Intoxilyzer, an instrument that measures blood alcohol concentration through breath analysis. If a driver refuses to blow, he or she faces immediate revocation of driving privileges, and the deputy will ask a magistrate to grant a search warrant to draw the defendant’s blood. The blood draw occurs by force if necessary and may reveal the presence of additional impairing substances. Generally, upon finding that the deputy had probable cause to make the arrest, a magistrate may allow a first-time offender to sign a written promise to appear in court and leave the detention center with a sober adult. The wheels of justice turn slowly. It can take between six months and two years for a DWI case to reach final disposition. Along the way, the consequences add up and include embarrassment and inconvenience. The total cost generally ranges between $10,000 and $17,000 which may include court and legal fees, an alcohol assessment, increased insurance premiums, lost work time, the costs of alternate transportation, and more. These figures skyrocket if the defendant crashed or injured anyone. There are many options cheaper than a lawyer, safer than a crash, and better for your future. I’ll therefore end where I began. Don’t drink and drive. ### Previous Next

00f98600-26b9-4bdb-96e1-13a67a084bc5 #81, Parakaleo February 25, 2026 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood An education is a wonderful thing to have, but social media is probably not the best place to find one. That said, you can learn a lot if you know where to look. I enjoy listening to author and motivational speaker Ryan Leak, because he regularly delivers nuggets of wisdom. I recently watched one of his videos in which he spoke about “parakaleo.” Now that I know this concept, I see it in action everywhere. Parakaleo comes from the Greek words para , meaning “alongside,” and kaleo , which means “to call.” Simply put, parakaleo is the practice of coming alongside of someone and encouraging them forward. With such a mindset, a person does not let others shrink back; rather, he or she supports them as they move forward in a positive direction. Dean Smith, the legendary, late UNC basketball coach, intuitively understood parakaleo. He taught his players that after scoring, they should point to the player who passed them the ball, publicly sharing the credit for the basket by acknowledging the assist. I saw my friend Bob Epting the other day, and he looked a little down. I was on my way to an appointment, and I didn’t have much time, but I stopped and asked him if he was okay. He said he just finished a slightly stressful, time-sensitive task and that he was otherwise fine. I told him how much he matters to me and reminded him to take care of himself. We had a nice exchange, and as we were talking, a young man walked up and asked for help with a dead car battery. I started to arrange for a deputy to bring him a jump box, but Bob interrupted and said, “You go on, Charles. I know you are headed somewhere. I’ve got this.” I spent a few minutes giving encouragement and care to Bob, and before we even parted company, he was paying it forward by investing helpful energy into someone else. Parakaleo in action is contagious, much like laughter and enthusiasm. With the right mindset, anyone can pull alongside someone and push them forward. Sadly, the reverse is also true. Remember the old saying, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names will never hurt me”? I think we all know words can indeed hurt, and I believe destructive criticism is the opposite of parakaleo. I once attended an event to which I wore my favorite sport coat, a handsome tie, my favorite boots, and a nice pair of crisp blue pants. My wife picked out my jacket, and I love it. As soon as we arrived at the event, three or four people came up to me and complimented my beautiful coat before one person walked by and criticized my wardrobe choices. That one dig really stung, hitting me with more power than the multiple compliments, not because I am thin-skinned, but because of something scientists call negativity bias. With survival as the goal, evolution wired our brains to pay more attention to threats than to compliments, which is why the way we talk to people matters. We have the power to balance the scales by making sure people hear kindness more often than criticism. I recently gave the keynote at WHCL’s Hometown Hero luncheon during which the station celebrated those honored throughout the year in a popular weekly promotion. Almost no one in that room thought they did anything heroic – most of them said, “I was just doing my job.” However, we are a community full of people who notice the good deeds of others, pull alongside them, and push them forward by nominating them for public recognition because we know that what they do matters. Elite paracletes know that support can also be a passive practice. In other words, serving others doesn’t have to be hard or make you break into a sweat! Sometimes just listening to someone who seems down, harried, or frustrated is all it takes to allow them to move forward again. Put away your phone, make eye contact, avoid interrupting, and give the gift of your undivided attention. Usually, people don’t need us to offer solutions for their problems. They just need our support as they work through them. Every Tuesday morning, as we conclude staff meeting, I say, “Go forth and do good things.” Maybe I’ll start saying, “Go forth, do good things, and encourage someone to move forward with you.” Previous Next

a4b8202f-68cd-4168-8be6-1ed18e3bdfff #13, Body Worn Cameras June 24, 2020 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood We have recently experienced increased community interest in our use of body worn cameras, and I am glad to have this forum to tell you more about these important devices. We began our body worn camera (BWC) program a year ago. We purchased Motorola Remote Speaker Mic cameras. These combine a high resolution camera, microphone, and speaker into a compact device placed on a deputy’s chest. The cameras are approximately $880 apiece. However, like with a cellphone, the initial investment in equipment is small when compared with the ongoing costs. Storage space on cloud-based servers is particularly expensive, and we accumulated 3.35 terabytes of audio and video files in one year. A five year subscription for infrastructure services and the digital evidence management system is $230,625.00. We retain all video data for 120 days; however, after that period, not all of it may be deleted. Footage from a felony, such as a murder, may need to be retained for several years. The total cost of the program, including cameras, batteries, cables, chargers, adapters, and other accessories is $281,058.51. Unlike dashboard cameras, wired to turn on with the blue lights, a deputy must manually activate a BWC. The cameras constantly receive data; to conserve battery life, they only save data from 30 seconds prior to the time of activation. Saving data consumes a great deal of a battery’s capacity. In passive mode, a battery lasts approximately six hours. In active save mode, it lasts only two. Although each deputy receives two batteries and a car charger, a busy shift can easily deplete both. Deputies generally remember to activate their cameras. However, in emergent situations, they may forget or simply be unable to activate the camera as a matter of survival. Recently, a pit bull charged a deputy as he exited his vehicle. The deputy did not have time to turn his camera on before the dog attacked. Fortunately, the situation resolved with only minor injuries to the deputy and no injury to the dog. However, had the deputy needed to shoot the dog, the deputy would have needed to justify his actions AND explain why he did not record the encounter. Our policy specifies four situations when BWCs should be activated: all enforcement and investigative contacts, traffic stops, self-initiated activity requiring notification to Orange Central Communications, and any other situation that becomes adversarial although it would not otherwise require recording. Once a deputy activates the camera, it is to remain on until the deputy reasonably believes his or her direct participation in the event is complete, or the situation no longer meets the criterion for recording. Our policy considers the dignity and privacy concerns of the individuals being recorded. A deputy may discontinue recording when these concerns legitimately outweigh any law enforcement interest in the recording. I admit I had some initial resistance to body cameras, and not only because of the cost of the program. I feared morale might suffer if deputies perceived the program signaled a lack of trust, I thought it would take too much time to upload footage, and I worried activating the camera upon arrival at a complex and dangerous scene might cause distraction and delay. I am happy to report my skepticism was unwarranted. The cameras preserve visual and audio details of an interaction from the deputy’s point of view, which is different from the angle of bystander cell phone video. Numerous times, the recordings have provided irrefutable proof that deputies treat people respectfully and follow agency policy despite danger, chaotic scenes, and verbal abuse. If, however, a recording were to support a complaint, it would be invaluable material to guide decisions about whether the matter was one best addressed through additional training, or if disciplinary action or termination were warranted. In similar fashion, the cameras are useful as part of our field training program. A supervisor is able to hold “film sessions” with a trainee much like a coach does with his or her players. The recordings also provide protection against frivolous and malicious complaints. I appreciate and specifically want to thank County Commissioner Mark Dorosin for being so persistent and convincing me to move forward with the BWC initiative. The unbiased view from the camera has repeatedly provided opportunities to settle disputes where one person’s word differs from the other’s. Deputies now welcome the power of video; they have seen it refute dishonest or embellished reports of their actions. They also recognize the cameras document the professionalism with which they approach their duties. If you see my deputies in the community, feel free to talk to them about our BWC program, and as always, call me if you have questions or concerns. Previous Next

Detention Services offered by the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Detention Services Detention Services Our modern detention facility serves multiple jurisdictions and programs: State pre-trial detention Federal pre-trial detention (U.S. Marshals Service) State Misdemeanor Confinement Program Probation violation custody We maintain high standards of care and safety, ensuring all detainees receive proper services and support in a secure environment. Transport Operations Our specialized transport unit provides safe and secure transportation services, including: Orange County Detention Center to other Detention Center. Orange County Detention Center to State Prison facilities Involuntary commitment (IVC) transport from UNC Hospitals to care facilities statewide Medical appointment escorts Our transport teams are specially trained to handle various situations with professionalism and care, ensuring safe and secure movement of individuals throughout North Carolina. Major Tim Jones Major Tim Jones (pictured to the left) leads the Courthouse Operations Division. Contact him with any questions: Email: tijones@orangecountync.gov Phone: (919) 245-2956

96750c8d-28e1-489f-80c6-00b9994c081c #23, Mental Health Response Unit April 28, 2021 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood We seem to be responding to calls regarding mental health with increased frequency. More and more, we hear from community members who feel law enforcement should not be involved in these situations at all. Those who feel this way may not realize the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is much more than a law enforcement agency, and arrest is not the only tool we have at our disposal. Patrol deputies at a modern sheriff’s office certainly do protect the community by investigating crimes, enforcing traffic regulations, and arresting those who have broken the law. However, a deputy’s duties are much more comprehensive. We also serve as emergency medical responders, public servants, peace keepers, referral sources, property checkers, overdose reversers, regulatory agents, negotiators, and mediators. We all know that a mentally ill person often needs treatment more than they need to be arrested. We also know there are not enough mental health beds or services in this country, especially for people of low wealth or those who are under insured. People in mental health crisis sometimes make decisions they would not make if they were well. Sometimes these choices result in criminal offenses, actions that pose grave risks to self or someone else, behaviors that make others uncomfortable in public spaces, or choices that victimize other people. Frankly, my deputies are called to mental health crises because we are available 24/7/365, we are mobile, and we have a highly efficient dispatch system. Who else has the infrastructure we do? If a mentally ill person knocks on your door, perhaps half-naked, talking about aliens practicing mind-control techniques by beaming proton lasers through the electrical outlets, who else are you going to call? What if your depressed teenager won’t come out of his or her room and you realize the handgun you keep in your night table drawer is now missing? Deputies are not mental health clinicians, but they are trained in de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques, they have the necessary statutory authority to transport subjects to a medical facility, and they are trained in best practices for safely containing violent behavior if needed. At present, we are the professionals most readily available and best suited to step into the service chasm in our mental health system, and we have the best chance of helping someone become a patient, not a defendant. All that said, we hear our community is asking for something different, something more, something better. So far, however, the conversation seems to be about taking emergency response away from us, without proposing viable solutions for creating an alternative infrastructure and system for appropriately meeting the acute needs of the mentally ill while simultaneously protecting the public. Therefore, I am creating a Mental Health Response Unit (MHRU) within the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to more specifically tailor our service to the needs of people with mental illness who are in crisis. This unit is in the development stage, and we are looking for clinical partners. The deputies staffing the unit will have specialized training in verbal judo, crisis intervention, hostage negotiation, and mental health first aide. Additionally, one of the assigned deputies will be a drug recognition expert, one of a handful across the state trained to recognize not only that a person is under the influence, but also able to identify with great accuracy what drug is responsible for the person’s impairment. This knowledge can inform appropriate response. Deputies assigned to this unit will drive vehicles with subdued graphics and wear uniforms with elements identifying their special focus. MHRU deputies will have rotating schedules, concentrating where possible on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, the days on which we responded to mental illness emergencies most often in 2020. Among their goals will be serving as resource professionals for community members concerned about the mental health of a loved one. They will also intervene in mental health situations before they develop into criminal ones, and before others become victims. Additionally, they will strive to connect those in need with appropriate mental health treatment resources in Orange County. Please let me hear from you with your thoughts. As stated above, this is a new initiative I am developing. I hear that people do not want “law enforcement” responding to mental health calls, but until there is another system operating in the breech, the responsibility to respond remains mine. I will not ignore it, but I will definitely try to respond in a manner consistent with the values of this community. Previous Next

Request a House Check or Close Patrol from Orange County Sheriff's Office. Close Patrols & House Checks Close Patrols and House Checks closely watch your business or residence while you are away for an extended period of time. You can find a description of both a Close Patrol or House Check in the form below. If you are unsure which is appropriate, call us at (919) 245-2900.

1f34153c-c24a-45aa-9a73-621805a7b07f < Back MAN FACES DRUG TRAFFICKING AND RELATED CHARGES March 2, 2026 Hillsborough, NC (March 2, 2025) – A deputy with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Saturday, February 28, 2026. After searching the vehicle, he charged 48-year-old David Anthony Evans, of Hillsborough, with multiple drug related offenses, including trafficking cocaine. The deputy initially stopped the car because he learned the license plate was revoked and he suspected that the driver may not be properly insured. After running the driver’s operator license through a database, learning his history of prior drug convictions, and smelling the odor of green marijuana coming from the car, the deputy began a probable cause search. He located 81 grams of marijuana in the passenger compartment, and more than 190 grams of cocaine in the trunk. On scene, the deputy issued a written warning for operating a motor vehicle without insurance. He then transported Evans to the magistrate’s office, where he formally charged him with the following felonies: trafficking cocaine, possession with the intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession with the intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possession of marijuana, and maintaining a vehicle for the manufacture, sale, or delivery of a controlled substance. Evans also faces one count of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. The magistrate remanded him to the Detention Center under no bond, given the seriousness of the charges. At the defendant’s first appearance today, the district court judge set a secured bond of $100,000 for Evans. Currently, he remains in custody. Previous Next 1/0

9c5197f1-67af-43eb-8508-c201b32744ad #82, Feed Them March 25, 2026 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood “Love people. Cook them tasty food.” Those are six powerful words. It is purely coincidental—but nonetheless appropriate—that we christened our office cooking group Grill Team 6. A team of deputies comprises this cadre of chefs, and a rotating cast of characters provides frequent assistance and hilarious banter. Meanwhile, the Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Organization (SOCO) is the nonprofit 501(c)(3) that contributes financial support to and hands-on help with office initiatives, fundraising efforts, and food-prep projects. SOCO and Grill Team 6 will again showcase their partnership on April 29 at our annual and highly anticipated Chicken Pickin’ fundraiser. That day, they fire up a dozen giant grills at 5:00 a.m. and prepare barbecued chicken plates with green beans, potatoes, and a roll. Members of the Timeless Cruizers Car Club donate the chicken and assist with grilling duties. SOCO helps with the behind-the-scenes prep necessary for such an ambitious undertaking. They also source supplies, help plate and package approximately 1,000 meals, and sell tickets. Drop by the office at 106 E. Margaret Lane in Hillsborough to purchase yours! In 2023, SOCO used Chicken Pickin’ proceeds to help purchase 67 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for law enforcement and the South Orange Rescue Squad—its largest single donation to date. In the last two years, among many other contributions, SOCO has funded meals for disaster volunteers after Chantal, purchased CPR mannequins and child safety seats, replaced AED batteries and pads, ordered a new US flag for the office, and supported our annual Shop with the Sheriff event. SOCO also helps us with our roasted corn-on-the-cob sale at Hog Day, an annual community event in September. Grill Team 6 knows just the right ratio of soaking to roasting time, and SOCO offers every customer a dazzling array of seasonings for a customized flavor experience. Every year, SOCO uses some of the corn sale revenue to award the Sheriff Lindy Pendergrass Memorial Scholarship to a high school senior planning to study criminal justice in college. My team and I are committed to helping people age in place with dignity and support. We regularly prepare a hot dog lunch for up to 75 residents experiencing food insecurity or who are homebound. Grill Team 6 and Detention Center dietary staff cook the franks and fixings. SOCO packages the meals before we load them into Meals on Wheels vehicles for delivery. We also believe in supporting those who visit or travel through Orange County. Therefore, we occasionally prepare food for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill while UNC Hospitals care for their children. It is incredibly stressful to be away from home, worried about your child, surrounded by strangers, and far from your usual sources of comfort and support. Coping with all of that—and figuring out how to feed yourself every day—is nearly impossible. Once again, we rely on SOCO to help us prepare, package, and serve the meals. SOCO volunteers make snow cones and serve popcorn at community events. They bring us lunch on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. They show up to support and feed school bus drivers at our annual appreciation breakfast. But believe it or not, they are not only about food! Last year, by my conservative estimate, they provided more than 1,500 hours of service, saving tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars. Many help with Shop with the Sheriff. Some come to the office to shred and file important documents. Others helps fingerprint those who need background checks for work. If we need a photographer at a community event and my communications manager is busy, we call Rob. When it’s time to put classroom materials together for Citizens’ Academy, Ken is the wizard. Want to get involved? Buy tickets for the Chicken Pickin’—on sale now through April 20, 2026. Order ten or more plates and we will deliver. Consider attending our Citizens’ Academy, where you can have a good time, learn about the inner workings of our office, and qualify to become a SOCO member upon graduation. Plus, thanks to SOCO, we usually provide dinner! Clearly, we take Virginia Woolf to heart. She said, “One cannot think well, love well, or sleep well, if one has not dined well.” Take it from me—you also can’t Sheriff well! When we feed people, we are connecting with the community we serve, and SOCO volunteers help us do it. Bon appétit! Previous Next

A twelve month running archive of Orange County Sheriff's Office press releases. Press Release Archive SHERIFF’S OFFICE MAKES ARREST IN SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CASE June 2, 2026 Read More DEPUTIES SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM THE PUBLIC AS THEY SEARCH FOR MISSING WOMAN May 26, 2026 Read More VUKMER IN CUSTODY AT THE ORANGE COUNTY DETENTION CENTER April 10, 2026 Read More MAN FACES MULTIPLE TRAFFIC, CRIMINAL, AND DRUG CHARGES AFTER ENDANDERING MANY April 9, 2026 Read More SHERIFF’S OFFICE MAKES ARREST IN SEXUAL OFFENSE CASES April 7, 2026 Read More VUKMER WAIVES EXTRADITION April 6, 2026 Read More VUKMER IN CUSTODY March 6, 2026 Read More WOMEN DIES AFTER BEING STABBED; INVESTIGATORS LOOK FOR ASSAILANT March 6, 2026 Read More TWO FACE MULTIPLE CHARGES FOLLOWING PURSUIT; TWO PATROL VEHICLES DISABLED March 5, 2026 Read More DEPUTIES ARREST MAN IN GUILFORD COUNTY AFTER ASSISTING WITH A HIT AND RUN CRASH IN HILLSBOROUGH March 2, 2026 Read More MAN FACES DRUG TRAFFICKING AND RELATED CHARGES March 2, 2026 Read More ADDITIONAL MAN FACES CHARGES FOR NOVEMBER BREAK-INS January 7, 2026 Read More

bf631d0f-04fb-4829-82ef-5f7c7dc59f37 #80, Most Important Issue January 28, 2026 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood First responders must react to what occurs, which can often feel like a game of “Whack-a-Mole,” where a player uses a padded mallet to bop motorized pests on the head when they pop up. If you’ve ever played, you know additional moles continue to spring out ─ often players face several at the same time. People frequently ask me to identify the most important issues in law enforcement today. In many ways, that’s like asking me to name the biggest moles rather than focus on preparing deputies and detention officers to successfully serve the community regardless of what problems surface. Using my “Whack-a-Mole” analogy, I certainly understand that we need to react and respond to the critters that surface most frequently. But as a leader, I know that difficulties of the moment are not necessarily the most important. Building and maintaining a team that anticipates and adapts to change is the most important issue in law enforcement today. It is also my most important duty. It is critical that I recruit, train, equip, support, and retain people who can protect and serve no matter what pops up. Despite its status as a profession rich in history and tradition, a law enforcement officer does not operate in a static world. Even people who entered the field less than a decade ago find themselves working in a very different environment today. This reality certainly keeps me engaged, even after 45 years. No two days are the same, much less the years. At our office, we have what we call “The Standard.” It is not a policy document, but rather a mindset. Although “standard” can mean garden-variety or average, we mean something quite different. Our standard is not mediocrity, but rather excellence, and we aspire to it every day. We anticipate change and, as creative-thinking, resilient problem-solvers, we adapt to emerging societal issues, law changes, and technology improvements. In this way, we uphold our standard and build our culture regardless of the challenges we face. I want to share three examples, starting with the growing mental health crisis. I am not just aware of the conversations occurring at the local, state, and federal levels; I participate in them, working with stakeholders, our Criminal Justice Resource Department, and my colleagues on the Governor’s Crime Commission. But deputies and detention officers experience the ramifications of this crisis daily and must adapt and increase their skills now. They do not have the luxury of such discussions, nor can they wait for mental health system reform, the completion of a new crisis facility, or the funding of a grant proposal. It is imperative that I provide them training and tools such as verbal judo classes, crisis intervention skills, mental health first aid, and similar courses. We see people’s daily struggles, witness the impact on loved ones, and respond to suicides and overdoses. Accordingly, I also continually monitor employee wellness and provide appropriate resources. COVID-19 certainly brought with it many societal changes. The pandemic taught a master class in the importance of leveraging technology and modernizing long-standing policy. For example, even though video and audio equipment made virtual court appearances possible years before 2020, it took the crisis to accelerate the legal and cultural changes necessary to regularize this efficient practice. Therefore, throughout our agency, we examined where else this lesson might apply. Now, we now primarily use video visitation at the detention center. Loved ones find it more convenient and detention officers have more time to attend to other critical duties. By embracing and adapting, we improved. My final example shows that I do not only expect staff members to adapt to change ─ I also challenge myself to stay flexible. Although I still personally find it difficult to sport facial hair while wearing my dress uniform, I changed our policy when I saw clear evidence that deputies and detention officers with well-groomed beards, moustaches, or sideburns could be both professional and approachable. Likewise, I saw the merit in allowing visible tattoos. As society’s views toward body ink shifted, I recognized that by forbidding tattoos, we were causing exceptional applicants to apply elsewhere. A tattoo has no bearing on a person’s ability to perform his or her duties at the highest level; therefore, I changed my stance. Referring again to “The Standard,” we must continually adapt, change, and grow. Remaining nimble is our superpower, because maintaining the ability to provide for public safety, regardless of issue, problem, or emergency, will always be the most important issue in law enforcement. Previous Next

The Special Victims Unit at the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Special Victims & Crisis Unit Since 1993, our Special Victims & Crisis Unit has provided support to crime victims throughout Orange County. We understand navigating the aftermath of a crime is overwhelming. Our dedicated team works to ensure no victim faces this journey alone. Our Approach We provide personalized support by: Serving warrants for related crimes. Assisting victims with Domestic Violence Protective Orders. Connecting survivors with essential resources. Guiding victims through the criminal justice process. Coordinating with community support agencies. Providing confidential crisis intervention, advocacy, and support. Our unit works closely with community organizations to create a network of support for crime victims. Whether you need immediate assistance or ongoing support, we're here to help. Call (919) 245-2900 . Click Here for Crisis Unit Information & Services major nate fearrington Major Nate Fearrington (pictured to the left) leads the Special Victims & Crisis Unit. Contact him with any questions: Email: nfearrington@orangecountync.gov Phone: (919) 245-2919 lieutenant Brian sykes Lieutenant Brian Sykes manages day-to-day Special Victims & Crisis Unit Services. Contact him with any questions: Email: bsykes@orangecountync.gov Phone: (919) 245-2948

45f3bfec-088e-4d7c-acbe-4e94c8fc4d41 #61, Vacation Safety June 26, 2024 Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood “The days are long, but the years are short,” generally refers to the experience of parenting. However, as I write this, I am shocked to be looking down the barrel of July and seeing prime vacation season. Wasn’t it just New Year’s Eve a week or so ago? As people prepare to travel, they juggle many tasks, including completing urgent workplace projects, planning an itinerary, coordinating pet care, and packing luggage. Given the number of distractions, it is not surprising that vacationers often forget to attend to the security of their homes and the belongings they plan to leave behind. I believe travelers should wait until they return home before they share pictures and information on social media platforms about their vacation. “Having a great time at the Grand Canyon,” broadcasts a family is out of town, whereas “We had fun in Arizona last week. Enjoy our Grand Canyon photos,” conveys the same information without widely announcing the absence. I frequently advise people that nosy neighbors are a terrific alarm system! Sharing travel plans and exchanging contact information with them is a good practice. Ask nearby residents to keep an eye on your place, and if you are comfortable, give a trusted neighbor a key to your home or the keypad code to your garage. In the event of a screaming smoke alarm, gas leak, or broken pipe, that person can grant access to emergency responders or repair workers. Neighbors can also check your mail, take packages off your porch, grab newspapers from your driveway, and return garbage bins to the side of your house after trash pick-up. When no one attends to these chores for several days, people with malicious intent may recognize an opportunity to break into an unoccupied residence. Many properties have security cameras, such as Ring, Blink, Nest, or Arlo Pro. These systems require routine maintenance. Because they only work with steady access to power or working batteries, check that all is in order before you leave town. Likewise, if your system uses local storage, such as a flash drive, delete old clips to ensure you have enough available space to accommodate the length of your trip. If your camera is motion activated and delivers a live feed but does not store video, make sure you know how to take screenshots of any unusual activity. Relatively speaking, home security systems are new technology. Have you thought through what you will do if you see suspicious activity at your residence in real time while you are away? How do you notify your law enforcement agency back home? Fortunately, all North Carolina call centers now use an integrated system, allowing dispatchers to efficiently route a 911 call placed anywhere in the state to the telecommunication center here in Orange County. However, if you are out of state, calling 911 will not help you reach anyone in this area. Therefore, I strongly encourage you to store the direct number for our dispatch center in your contacts. It is (919) 732-5063. Our office provides two services of interest to vacationers. Upon request, and if not too busy with emergency calls, deputies will conduct either a “close patrol” or a “house check” of an Orange County property. During a close patrol, deputies will be in the vicinity of the identified address more often usual, perhaps providing periods of a stationary presence in the general area. When conducting house checks, deputies perform more detailed inspections by exiting their patrol vehicles and walking around the residence, physically ensuring doors and windows are secure. With either service, if the deputies discover any problems, they will call you or your emergency contact. If you would like to sign up for a close patrol or house check, please fill out the form available on our website, or call us at (919)245-2900. If possible, please arrange for this service three or more days before you leave for vacation. We will do our best to keep your residence and belongings safe while you are away. We encourage you to also think about your personal safety while on vacation. Three important tips: make sure children know what to do if they get lost or separated from you, designate a specific person to watch kids around bodies of water, and diligently minimize distractions before driving on unfamiliar roads. Please be careful, have fun, and bring home happy memories! ### Previous Next