Blog: DPS Dispatch

Chief Probation and Parole Officer Lauren Patterson was just a child the first time she volunteered with Operation Christmas Child, a ministry project of Samaritan’s Purse that provides children in need around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items and school supplies. That one time was all it took to spark a passion within her. From that moment, Patterson continued to volunteer with the organization through her church until later down the road she was given the opportunity to become an area coordinator—and she took it.

Two North Carolina prisons’ food service personnel were honored recently by the Association of Correctional Food Service Affiliates’ Annual International Conference Vendor Showcase in Memphis. Central Prison Correctional Food Service Manager Conell Chapman was presented with the 2019 ACFSA Operator of the Year Award, while Maury Correctional Institution Food Service Manager Clarence Godley received the ACFSA Heroism Award for his actions during Hurricane Florence.

The holidays are upon us and that means people will be hitting the road. AAA estimates that 49.3 million travelers will be on roadways this year, and that will be the most since 2005. With more traffic on the streets, drivers can expect delays and an increased risk of accidents. Here’s a list of highway driving tips that can help ensure you and others on the road arrive safe. Check and prepare your vehicle before leaving

As the new Commissioner of Prisons, I’ve traveled the state, visited all of our prisons and listened to the concerns of the staff. I’ve reached some conclusions. Great things are being done by the men and women who manage our offender populations. Prisons staff deserve an organizational structure that works better to help them in their mission. To that end, I’ve restructured the Division of Prisons. This new structure will help to position us for success. It will allow us to thoughtfully, with focus, tackle the challenging issues at hand.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is highlighting topics such as election security, insider threats, cyber-physical convergence and protection of our hometowns as part of November’s Infrastructure Security Month.  

On Monday, the Department of Public Safety will proudly celebrate Veterans Day and say “thank you” to the men and women who have served our country, especially to the more than 2,600 veterans who work at DPS. These individuals have sacrificed for their country and continue to serve the public after their tour of duty. 

Disaster can strike at any time, in any season. Practicing emergency plans regularly and updating emergency supplies semi-annually is an important and even lifesaving habit to keep. Clocks will be moving backward by one hour at 2 o’clock on Sunday (November 3) morning, signifying that we’re inching closer to winter. Daylight Savings Time happens twice a year and are perfect times to check through your home to ensure you have the proper tools to help you through an emergency. 

More North Carolina counties have been designated as StormReady by the National Weather Service (NWS), as part of the Service’s program to help communities across America mitigate the effects from natural disasters. Twelve more counties joined 74 counties and nine communities in North Carolina already recognized as being StormReady. This year’s additional StormReady counties are Halifax, Macon, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Montgomery, Northampton, Perquimans, Rowan, Sampson and Watauga. 

It doesn’t matter whether one walks on two legs or four in the Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice’s Special Operations and Intelligence Unit (SOIU); all beings need the most up-to-date protective safety equipment. 

All too often, we find news media covering tragic shootings in communities across the nation. Senseless gun violence has become a part of everyday dialogue in American society. But some positive efforts of dedicated people working within Juvenile Justice are ongoing to educate kids and keep North Carolinians safer.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is participating in Operation Stop Arm during Oct 21-25 to enforce stop arm violations and other traffic violations in and around school zones. The campaign hopes to raise awareness of school bus safety. Follow the tips below to help ensure every stop is a safe school bus stop for children. When to stop: Two-lane roadway – All traffic from both directions must stop Two-lane with a center turning lane – All traffic from both directions must stop Four-lane roadway – All traffic from both directions must stop

Always searching for opportunities to conserve its financial and natural resources, Department of Public Safety leaders embraced Gov. Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 80 as a way to do just that. The order, signed Oct. 29 2018, calls for the state to transition to a clean energy economy, establishes the N.C. Climate Change Interagency Council and strives to accomplish the following goals by 2025: Reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 2005 levels. Increase the number of registered zero-emission vehicles, or ZEVs, to at least 80,000.

She remains unnamed, saying the entire staff should be considered Employee of the Year Central Prison has named its annual Employee of the Year.  With that honor comes respect, some glory, $100 in cash and a designated parking space for a year. She remains unnamed, asking not to be identified to the staff or the public. She said everyone at Central Prison deserves to be considered the Employee of the Year, and someone else deserving should get the designated parking spot perk.

Governor Roy Cooper proclaimed this week, Oct. 13-19, as Juvenile Justice week in North Carolina. What is Juvenile Justice, though? Let’s take a quick look at this section within the Department of Public Safety and learn about the special work it carries out for the children, families and communities of our state. What is Juvenile Justice?

The Great Southeast Shakeout is a week away and you can be part of the growing crowd to participate in the world’s largest earthquake drill on Oct. 17 at 10:17 a.m. Join the more than 2.1 million people in the southeast who have registered their organization, school, agency, business or family and are ready to perform a ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold On’ drill, the recommended action for people to take during an earthquake. Among those joining in the Shakeout are more than 100 North Carolina K-12 schools and districts, which accounts for more than 347,000 of the 364,000 registered participants in the state.