Blog: DPS Dispatch

With winter weather in the forecast, now is the time to prepare. To remain safe during this time, the best thing you can do is not drive on the roads, but if you must, plan ahead and review how to operate your vehicle in winter weather. Prepare Your Vehicle Before you hit the road, it’s a good rule of thumb to prepare your vehicle ahead of time. The lower temperatures can cause tire pressure and battery power to drop and may cause moisture to freeze the gas lines. Check your tire pressure, test your battery and keep your gas tank at least half full.

When Trooper Colby Hall raised his hand and took his oath on Nov. 19, 2021, during the 154th Basic Highway Patrol School graduation, he had officially accomplished a goal he had made early in life.

The holiday season brings to the surface the things that matter most and it is important to take the steps to protect them. Emergency Management and law enforcement experts from the Department of Public Safety share some tips to help you and your family remain safe during the holidays. Protect against home fire risks

In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks the nation developed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to coordinate a unified national strategy to protect against and respond to terrorism attacks. These efforts create a united front that includes enhancing security efforts at the border, airports and elsewhere, as well as improving cybersecurity and emergency response activities that provide for national security.

Prisons’ first field ministers graduate from college, prepare to positively influence fellow offenders. NASHVILLE — Black-robed, masked and wearing traditional mortarboards, 24 offenders at Nash Correctional Institution collected a bachelor’s degree on Wednesday. They are the first class of graduates from the Field Ministry Program, trained to support and counsel fellow offenders.

It’s always nice to be recognized for your hard work. Just ask the special agents at ALE who were pleased recently when their division was awarded the Agency of the Year Award by the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association. The award was presented to ALE Director Bryan House at their annual conference held in Montgomery, Alabama.    Over 30 local, state, federal and campus law enforcement agencies were represented at the conference. ALE was one of the few agencies recognized for their hard work and dedication to the field of alcohol law enforcement. 

Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season and has made a name for itself as the largest shopping day of the year. Many friends and family members shop together and plan for a day of scoring deals upon deals. However, scammers are also taking advantage of the shopping frenzy this time of year. According to experts, scammers and thieves typically become bolder during the holidays, and their actions can quickly spoil anyone's holiday cheer. Here are a few tips that will help keep you, your valuables and your bank accounts safe however you choose to shop in this holiday season.   

The North Carolina Correctional Association gathered for its 42nd year of intensive training on handling gangs in prison, building leadership skills, supporting colleagues and more. The Honor Guard opened the three-day training conference in Greensboro, and a brief memorial moment was held for staff who passed away over the preceding year. Gov. Roy Cooper sent a video message of thanks for the essential work done by Prisons’ staff in jobs that are challenging and demanding.

After the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred dropped several inches of rain in Western North Carolina, record flooding occurred along the Pigeon River resulting in six fatalities. The storm is estimated to have caused $18.7 million in damage to public infrastructure, and 11 counties have been approved for FEMA Public Assistance.

The North Carolina Emergency Management Association (NCEMA) held its annual meeting recently and presented awards for 2020 and 2021. These awards included the Col. William A. Thompson Award, which is presented to the North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) employee who has demonstrated outstanding achievement assisting local emergency management coordinators with programs, incidents and information. The 2020 Thompson Award recipient is Tim Byers, NCEM Area 6 Coordinator in the Central Branch Office and the 2021 recipient is Dennis Hancock, NCEM Central Branch Manager. 2020 Thompson Award

The National Alliance of Black School Educators has selected Juvenile Justice Student Transition Counselor Dr. Michael Tyrone Williams as the 2021 W.E.B. DuBois Higher Education Award recipient. Dr. Williams will receive the award at the NABSE annual conference Nov. 13 in Los Angeles.  "I am both honored and humbled to have been selected to receive this award,” said Dr. Williams. “It has been one of several factors which remind me that the only limits we have are the limits we place on ourselves."

This has been a busy year for the N.C. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), a FEMA program managed by N.C. Emergency Management (NCEM). Alongside FEMA, these state employees work with communities to identify hazards associated with natural disasters and to develop long-term strategies to mitigate these vulnerabilities during events such as hurricanes.

The school year is well underway with challenges brought forth by the pandemic and in-person vs. remote learning.  Youth who enter the state juvenile justice system also are participating in classes that look similarly to any classroom outside of a Juvenile Justice facility. Coursework is challenging and follows the North Carolina standards, no matter the learning level of the juvenile. Highly qualified staff evaluate every youth for their level of knowledge and are available to provide personalized instruction. 

N.C. Emergency Management echoes the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) theme for National Fire Prevention Week, which was Oct. 3 - 9, and encourages everyone to Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety. 

Michael O’Key is one of millions who walked onto a college campus this fall. However, his journey to get there was far from typical. O’Key did not allow one mistake as a youth to define him, nor hold him back from following a path toward his personal and professional goals. And thanks to support received from North Carolina Juvenile Justice staff, the 23-year-old focuses on what is ahead of him instead of being consumed by the memories of the 3½ years he spent at Dillon Youth Development Center in Butner for an aggravated assault charge at 11 years old.