WPD 'blog

Crime Statistics - December 2011

2012-01-24T14:41:00.001-05:00

Listed below are the categories of crimes reported by the WPD during November & December 2011: Dec 2011 Nov 2011 Alcohol Crime 2 0 Arson 0 2 Assault 26 30 Breaking & Entering home or business 19 10

Fraud Suspect Sought

2012-01-23T15:57:00.001-05:00

Washington Police are asking for help identifying the suspect in a financial transaction card fraud case. On December 20th, 2011, during the early morning hours, the man in the photo is believed to have used a financial transaction card to make several fraudulent purchases. His identity is not known at this time and the WPD needs help in identifying him. If you know this person please call

Two Men Charged with Attempted Armed Robbery

2012-01-13T09:24:00.001-05:00

Thursday night, January 12, 2011, around 10:30 PM Washington Police arrested Kevin Michael Brown, age 21 of Pollock Street in New Bern and Michael Wayne Stocks, age 22 of Windley Rd in Washington. Both were charged with attempted armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Stocks was also charged with carrying a concealed weapon. Both men were placed in Beaufort County Detention

New law is helping fight record number of meth labs

2012-01-12T15:26:00.001-05:00

System that bars illegal purchases of drug’s key ingredient already working A new law to help fight methamphetamine labs has already stopped more than 1,600 illegal purchases of the key ingredient needed to make the drug, Attorney General Roy Cooper said today. Under the new law, which took effect January 1, North Carolina pharmacies are using an electronic tracking system to log all purchases

Scam Alert out of Pitt County

2012-01-04T08:33:00.001-05:00

From WITN TV’s website: The Pitt County Sheriff's Office is warning of a scam after an alert Greenville resident reported a phone call that just didn't seem to add up The sheriff's office says the resident received a phone call Tuesday from a "David Dixon" who told her that a package was waiting for her at the Greenville airport. Dixon informed her that he needed a check for $350 to pay the

WPD Office Holidays Schedule

2012-01-02T17:00:00.000-05:00

In observance of the Christmas and New Years Holidays, the WPD administrative office and the WPD records/property office will be closed on the following dates: Friday, December 23 Monday, December 26 Monday, January 02 All other functions of the WPD, such as Uniformed Patrol, Investigations & Emergency Dispatch, are always operating 24 hours per day, every day.

Holiday Gift Safety Tips, from NC Attorney General

2011-12-22T14:40:00.001-05:00

Parents can help make sure their kids’ holiday gifts are safe by taking a few simple steps, Attorney General Roy Cooper said today. “Parents work hard to find the best deals on toys and other holiday gifts,” Cooper said. “But it’s also important to make sure gifts are safe and age-appropriate for kids.” In a few days, holiday packages will be unwrapped and children will start playing with

Assistance for Crime Victims

2011-12-20T08:32:00.001-05:00

The North Carolina Attorney General’s Office has several programs available to assist victims of crimes. The Address Confidentiality Program helps victims keep their address safe from abusers. The program gives anonymity to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Seniors in nursing homes and their loved ones can report suspected elder abuse or fraud at any facilities that

Armed Robbery at Restaurant

2011-12-16T15:31:00.001-05:00

On Wednesday, December 14th, 2011, around 9:45 PM, Washington Police responded to an armed robbery at Kentucky Fried Chicken, 1510 Carolina Avenue. Two men entered the store and took an undisclosed amount of money while displaying a possible firearm and fled the area on foot. No one was injured during this crime and further details cannot be released due to the ongoing investigation. If

Toys for Tots, 2011

2011-12-14T16:25:00.001-05:00

The Washington PD collected 429 toys to be donated to “Toys for Tots” for Christmas, 2011. According to the US Marine Corps Reserve, the mission of the Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. The WPD embraces the

Holiday Safety 2011

2011-12-14T10:28:00.001-05:00

This holiday season don't let the spirit of giving lull you into giving burglars, muggers, and pickpockets a better chance to do their dirty work. Crooks love the holidays as much as everyone else, especially because it's an opportune time for crime. Here are some tips on how to celebrate safely this holiday season: If You Are Out for the Evening Turn on lights and a radio or TV so it

Checkpoint Yields Charges, Wanted Person

2011-12-12T16:48:00.001-05:00

As a part of the continued support of the Governor’s Highway Safety Initiative Washington Police Department coordinated a DWI checkpoint Saturday night which netted multiple charges. Charges are: 13 CHARGES OF NO OPERATORS LICENSE 1 CHILD RESTRAINT VIOLATION 4 REGISTRATION VIOLATIONS 3 INSPECTION VIOLATIONS 1 DWLR 1 GRADUATED LICENSE VIOLATION 1 WINDOW TINT

NC Attorney General fights “robocalls” to cell phones

2011-12-12T10:49:00.001-05:00

Federal legislation that would allow businesses such as debt collectors to make robocalls to consumers’ cell phones would interrupt people’s privacy and leave them stuck paying for unwanted calls, Attorney General Roy Cooper says. “Robocalls are disruptive and annoying, and consumers shouldn’t have to listen to them if they don’t want to, much less pay for them,” Cooper said. Cooper has joined

Rest in Peace

2011-12-09T09:08:00.001-05:00

Thursday, December 08, 2011 saw the deaths of two lawmen in the South. In Moore County, NC, Deputy Richard Rhyne, 58, was shot and killed as he served an arrest warrant. Ofc. Deriek W. Crouse, of the Va. Tech Campus Police Department, was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop. These latest tragedies brings the number of in the line of duty deaths to 147.

Crime Statistics - November 2011

2011-12-06T10:30:00.001-05:00

Listed below are the categories of crimes reported by the WPD during October & November 2011: Oct 2011 Nov 2011 Alcohol Crime 4 0 Arson 0 2 Assault 21 30 Breaking & Entering home or business 7 10

Crime Statistics - October 2011

2011-12-06T10:02:00.001-05:00

Listed below are the categories of crimes reported by the WPD during October & September 2011: Oct 2011 Sept 2011 Alcohol Crime 4 0 Arson 0 0 Assault 21 14 Breaking & Entering home or business 7 11

Employment opportunity with the WPD

2011-11-22T13:43:00.001-05:00

The City of Washington is accepting applications for the following positions: Criminal Justice Program Administrator – Police Performs administrative and professional work coordinating community resources, committees, and agencies and providing individual case management for offenders to achieve crime abatement, violence prevention, and gang prevention. Responsible for management of

Shop smart and safe this holiday season

2011-11-22T13:19:00.001-05:00

Many North Carolina consumers have already started shopping for the holidays, and Attorney General Cooper and the Better Business Bureau of Central North Carolina today encouraged them to take steps to avoid common problems such as items that can’t be returned, gift cards that can’t be used and orders that never arrive. “For many families, giving gifts to loved ones is an important part of

Scammers posing as Microsoft tech support

2011-11-14T09:14:00.001-05:00

North Carolina consumers have reported getting calls from phony tech support specialists who are out to access their personal information and steal their hard-earned money, NC Attorney General Roy Cooper warns. “Be suspicious of anyone who calls out of the blue offering to fix a problem with your computer,” Cooper said. “If you need assistance with your computer, seek out real help rather than

The ‘ Terrorific Spooktacular ’

2011-10-31T10:46:00.001-04:00

The WPD held a Halloween carnival on Friday, October 28 2011. The turnout was great. Adults and kids fought the cold breeze by snacking on popcorn, shooting some hoops and dancing to music provided by Woogies. There was a costume contest and pumpkin decorating contest. Kelly King & Ashley Revels, both telecommunicators with the WPD, planned and prepared the carnival, which was fun for all.

WPD sponsoring a ‘ Terrorific Spooktacular ’

2011-10-28T17:00:00.000-04:00

In celebration of a safe & fun Halloween, the WPD is sponsoring a costume contest & pumpkin decorating contest for kids. This will take place at Havens Gardens on October 28, 2011 from 5:30 PM until 8:30 PM The contests are open to kids in the 2nd through the 8th grades, broken into 3 brackets; grades 2-3, 4-5, and 6-8. This is not your typical costume contest, strutting is required!

Arrest for Possessing Stolen Plate

2011-10-28T15:23:00.001-04:00

Washington Police arrested Derek Attawan Blount, age 48 of Mary Street Chocowinity, NC the morning of October 28, 2011 on charges of possession of stolen property, failure to register vehicle, fictitious license plate, driving while license revoked, inspection violation, and no financial responsibility (insurance). This arrest resulted from a stolen license plate hit generated from an Automatic

Crime Statistics - September 2011

2011-10-27T13:42:00.001-04:00

Listed below are the categories of crimes reported by the WPD during August & September 2011: Aug 2011 Sept 2011 Alcohol Crime 0 0 Arson 0 0 Assault 20 14 Breaking & Entering home or business 11 11

Tips For A Safe & Fun Halloween

2011-10-20T09:00:00.001-04:00

With millions of kids hitting the streets in search of candy and fun, safety and home security is more important than ever during Halloween. Here are some tips for a safe & fun Halloween: Make a Plan - The most important steps for Halloween safety happen before kids leave the house. Remind trick-or-treaters to be cautious and to stick with a buddy at all times. Plan Halloween routes and

NC Firearms Laws & Safety

2011-10-19T16:29:00.000-04:00

In addition to the Federal laws and guidelines, each state also has their own laws regarding firearms. A guide to NC firearms laws can be found HERE . This document is published by the NC Department of Justice. Every gun owner should be familiar with the information that it contains. Information on Federal firearms laws can be found HERE . Please practice proper firearms safety, especially

Good Luck & Best Wishes

2011-10-14T14:40:00.001-04:00

David S. Williams has served the citizens of Washington as an emergency services telecommunicator since October of 2002. Today he leaves us to pursue his other passion; firefighter / EMT. A brief ceremony was held at the WPD station honoring David’s service with the WPD. He got the first (and biggest) piece of cake as his coworkers wished him well in his new job. “I’m gonna miss all of

WPD Investigating Armed Robbery

2011-10-14T14:19:00.001-04:00

On October 13, 2011 around 6:45 PM, Washington Police Officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Kangaroo Express store located at 500 W. 5th St. in Washington. Witnesses tell Police that a man entered the store, displayed a weapon and demanded money. There were no injuries reported. The suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect is described as a

Couple arrested in New York on charges placed in Washington

2011-09-30T12:52:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday, 27 September, 2011, a victim of hurricane Irene reported to the WPD that she had become a victim of larceny. Officers spoke to the lady at a local hotel, due to her being displaced by the recent weather event. The woman stated that she had solicited the assistance of a couple to assist her in repairing her residence. The victim later discovered items and a significant amount of

Russian K-9 Officers visit the WPD

2011-09-28T10:26:00.001-04:00

On Tuesday, September 27, 2011 the WPD was visited by police Officers from the Urals region of Russia. Oleg Vanishkin is the Chief of K-9 operations at his department and Svetlana Bozhenova is a K-9 officer and trainer for the same department. They work in a city of 2.5 million people. Chief Vanishkin oversees the operation of 527 K-9 teams. The two are in the USA to observe K-9

Watch Out For Tree Removal Scams

2011-09-13T09:54:00.001-04:00

Consumers cleaning up after Hurricane Irene are reporting that some tree removal services are trying to overcharge them or have taken money upfront and then left the job unfinished, Attorney General Roy Cooper said. “We’re hearing from consumers at the coast that tree services are going door-to-door looking for customers,” Cooper said. “If you need help getting a fallen tree off your home or

Crime Statistics - August 2011

2011-09-12T14:39:00.001-04:00

Listed below are the categories of crimes reported by the WPD during August, 2011: Alcohol Crime – 0 Arson - 0 Assault - 20 Breaking & Entering home or business – 11 Breaking & Entering of vehicle – 8 Child Neglect – 0 Court Violation - 0 Disorderly Conduct - 4 Fraud – 18 Kidnapping - 0 Larceny - 24 Misc. Offense - 18 Missing Person /

Watch out for phony FEMA officials, warns NC Attorney General

2011-08-31T13:23:00.001-04:00

North Carolinians who live in areas of the state hard hit by Hurricane Irene should be cautious about scammers posing as federal disaster aid workers, Attorney General Cooper warns. “Con artists pretending to be government officials have tried to steal personal information and money following other disasters,” said Cooper. “Be on the lookout for this scam popping up in North Carolina after

Washington Mayor Declares “State of Emergency”

2011-08-26T09:05:00.001-04:00

Washington’s Mayor has declared a “State of Emergency” as hurricane Irene approaches. To view the document click the link below. Please read it carefully because it contains details on times & dates and specifies certain restricted activities. City of Washington's Decloration of a "State of Emergency"

Back To School Tips from NC Attorney General Roy Cooper

2011-08-22T08:32:00.001-04:00

Raleigh: Attorney General Roy Cooper today offered tips to help parents get their children back to school safely and ready to learn as the traditional school year begins. “Giving our children a safe and successful school year means more than buying the right pencils and backpacks,” Cooper said. “A few simple steps can give parents some peace of mind so they can focus on helping their kids learn

I’ll Trade Ya a Doughnut for a Photo….Sure Kid

2011-08-19T15:26:00.001-04:00

Andrew Clark, a student of Chocowinity Middle School, poses with 2 Washington Police Officers as part of a ‘Scavenger Hunt’. One of the many items the participants in the hunt had to produce was a photograph of a Police officer with a doughnut, so Andrew bought a box of Krispy Kremes and carried them to the WPD station to give to the staff. All he asked in return was a ‘photo op’…and he got

Three Arrested in Cocaine Case

2011-08-19T15:06:00.001-04:00

On Wednesday, August 17 2011, Washington Police arrested Tysuan Thigpen, age 19 yoa, on four charges for felony possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine; trafficking cocaine; and conspiracy to traffic cocaine. Thigpen was placed in Beaufort County Detention Center with a $150,000 bond. Additionally, Jermaine Moore, age 28, and Rodriquez Moore, age 28, were charged with conspiracy to

National Night Out 2011. The fun outlasted the heat!

2011-08-11T09:18:00.001-04:00

Crash Claims the Life of Deputy

2011-08-02T10:12:00.001-04:00

Greene County Deputy David Jennings Dawson III was killed in motor vehicle crash Monday night. Deputy Dawson was 21 years old. The Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Troopers say the crash happened at Highway 903 at Crowfoot Road, about three miles south of Snow Hill. Only one vehicle was involved in the wreck. Deputy Dawson was heading north on Highway 903 when he lost control

Crime Statistics - July 2011

2011-08-01T09:53:00.001-04:00

Listed below are the categories of crimes reported by the WPD during July, 2011: Alcohol Crime – 0 Arson - 1 Assault - 31 Breaking & Entering home or business – 9 Breaking & Entering of vehicle – 15 Child Neglect – 2 Court Violation - 1 Disorderly Conduct - 8 Fraud – 16 Kidnapping - 0 Larceny - 30 Misc. Offense - 29 Missing Person /

“Project Next Step” Nets Arrests

2011-07-27T14:01:00.001-04:00

The Washington Police Department continues the” Project Next Step” initiative with a series of arrests during the past week. The crime reduction/gang prevention program, which began in 2009, is designed to improve the quality of life in designated areas through concentrated efforts by law enforcement and community partners. Recent arrests include over 78 charges placed on 39 individuals so far.

National Night Out 2011

2011-07-26T09:51:00.001-04:00

The "28th Annual National Night Out" (NNO), a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 2, 2011 from 4 PM until 8 PM at “BeeBee Memorial Park” located at 11th Street & Bridge St. Washington’s National Night Out Celebration will feature many activities for kids and adults, such as: Talent contest,

Crime Statistics - June 2011

2011-07-11T10:03:00.001-04:00

Listed below are the categories of crimes reported by the WPD during June, 2011: Alcohol Crime – 5 Arson - 0 Assault - 27 Breaking & Entering home or business – 17 Breaking & Entering of vehicle – 13 Child Neglect – 2 Court Violation - 0 Disorderly Conduct - 2 Fraud – 14 Kidnapping - 1 Larceny - 30 Misc. Offense - 19 Missing Person /

Man on Probation for Drug Charges, Facing More Drug Charges

2011-06-29T16:35:00.001-04:00

On Tuesday, June 28, 2011, Washington Police Officers, along with NC Probation and Parole Officers, arrested Ricky Rondell Young Jr, age 22, of Plymouth Street on narcotics charges. Mr. Young was arrested and charged with Possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana within one thousand feet of a school and possession of drug paraphernalia. Mr. Young was placed in Beaufort County Jail

Scam Alert – Phony Debt Collectors

2011-06-28T10:56:00.001-04:00

North Carolina consumers are reporting a spike in calls from fraudulent debt collectors, Attorney General Roy Cooper said today. “Don’t fall for these calls from crooks demanding that you pay phony debts,” Cooper said. “Never agree to share your personal information with someone you don’t know who calls you, no matter how convincing they sound.” Dozens of North Carolinians are calling Cooper’s

WPD Office Holiday Schedule

2011-06-27T16:51:00.001-04:00

In observance of “Independance Day”, the WPD administrative office and the WPD records/property office will be closed on the following dates: Monday, July 04, 2011 All other functions of the WPD, such as Uniformed Patrol, Investigations & Emergency Dispatch, are always operating 24 hours per day, every day.

Robbery at ATM

2011-06-24T08:28:00.001-04:00

On Thursday, 23 June 2011, around 10:00 AM, Washington Police officers responded to the Bank of America on Carolina Avenue in reference to a reported armed robbery. Two guards with Garda Cash Logistics were robbed of an undisclosed amount of currency while servicing a stand-alone ATM machine in the Washington Square Mall Parking lot. No one was injured in this robbery. The WPD is working

Make a Difference and Get Some Cash

2011-06-20T08:22:00.001-04:00

252-974-6400 Beaufort County Crimestoppers (252-974-6400) is on a mission to fight crime in your neighborhood. By joining BCCS, citizens are taking back the streets, one crime at a time. BCCS offers monetary rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest for: Any serious crime The location of stolen property The location of wanted persons The location of illegal

Crime Statistics - May 2011

2011-06-13T14:02:00.001-04:00

Listed below are the categories of crimes reported by the WPD during May, 2011: Alcohol Crime – 0 Arson - 2 Assault - 26 Breaking & Entering home or business – 23 Breaking & Entering of vehicle – 8 Child Neglect – 0 Court Violation - 0 Disorderly Conduct - 2 Fraud – 6 Kidnapping - 0 Larceny - 39 Misc. Offense - 35 Missing Person / Runaway

Another Local Man Faces Multiple Felony Charges

2011-06-13T09:06:00.001-04:00

On Friday June 10, Washington Police Officers arrested Michael Robb Burrus Ballantyne on 10 felony charges. The charges include breaking and entering (3 counts), larceny after breaking and entering (4 counts), breaking and entering motor vehicle, safecracking, and one charge from Pitt county for breaking and entering place of worship. This arrest was a coordinated effort involving Washington

E-Mail Scam

2011-06-13T09:01:00.001-04:00

The following E-Mail scam alert was posted on WITN TV’s website: The FBI is warning of an email that claims to be from the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. The email says the agency has found their lost funds, which were stolen and diverted to a foreign account. The email tells the recipient to cease all money transactions especially overseas, and to

Deputy Warren Lewis Killed in the Line of Duty

2011-06-10T09:00:00.002-04:00

The “Thin Blue Line”, that symbolic boundary between good and bad, is a little thinner this morning. On the evening of Thursday, June 09, 2011, Deputy Warren Lewis from the Nash County Sheriff's Office was shot and killed while serving warrants in Kinston, NC. He was working in his capacity as a Deputy U. S. Marshal. Click HERE to see WITN TV’s coverage of this tragedy. Deputy Lewis’

Local Man Arrested For Many Crimes

2011-06-10T08:31:00.001-04:00

On Wednesday, June 08, 2011, Washington Police Officers arrested Joseph Aaron Hodges, on 22 Felony and 2 misdemeanor charges resulting from crimes committed over a 2 year period in the Washington area. Charges include Breaking and Entering, Attempted Breaking and Entering, Larceny after Breaking and Entering, Breaking and Entering of a Motor Vehicle, Safecracking, and Injury to Personal

Oh No! Where’s My Wallet?

2011-06-08T13:55:00.001-04:00

The first thing you should do is to prepare for it to happen. People lose their wallet all the time, and there are countless cases of wallets being stolen, so taking a few minutes to get prepared, in case it does happen to you, is smart. You should make photocopies, both front and back, of all credit & debit cards. Also make black & white photocopies of your drivers license, special ID card

Protect Your Pets From the Heat

2011-06-06T09:53:00.001-04:00

Just as you shouldn’t leave a child in a hot vehicle, don’t leave a pet either. Doing so could cause the death or serious injury to the pet and a charge of animal cruelty. A parked car, even in the shade with partially opened windows, can turn into an oven in mere minutes. Dogs can only keep cool by panting, but as the air gets hotter in the car, heat stroke or even death can occur very

Never Leave a Child Alone in a Vehicle

2011-06-01T14:37:00.001-04:00

In 2010 49 children died while being left alone in a car. Even on mild temperature days, the risk of a child becoming overheated in a car is great, but as temperatures soar into the 90s, the risk becomes extreme. A child’s body heats up 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s. It only takes a few short minutes before a child can become dangerously overheated. In just 10 minutes a car’s

Check Scam

2011-05-31T13:27:00.001-04:00

This story was posted on WITN TV’s website. A check scam that is going around right now can cost you if you fall for it. People are alerting officials that they have received a letter in the mail from a bank, which is offering you $80,000. The letter includes a check for $2,500, and you are asked to wire bank fees totaling $1,500. However, the check is fake, so by the time you deposit the

WPD Office Holiday Schedule

2011-05-27T13:14:00.001-04:00

In observance of “Memorial Day”, the WPD administrative office and the WPD records/property office will be closed on the following dates: Monday, May 30 2011 All other functions of the WPD, such as Uniformed Patrol, Investigations & Emergency Dispatch, are always operating 24 hours per day, every day.

“Gift Wrapper” Scam Alert

2011-05-25T08:11:00.001-04:00

This story was posted on WITN TV’s website. The FBI says beware of online job postings about gift wrapping merchandise and shipping them to a specified locations. The postings may be advertising a job called a "gift wrapper associate." People told the FBI that when they responded to job postings online to gift wrap merchandise and ship it to a given address. People who have gotten caught in

Alleged Gunman Arrested in Florida

2011-05-24T12:48:00.001-04:00

On May 23, 2011, William Earl Little, II was arrested in Duval County, Florida on outstanding warrants obtained by Officers of the Washington Police Department. Mr. Little is charged with attempted armed robbery and discharging a firearm into occupied property on December 24, 2010 at Pam’s Diner, 607 John Small Ave, Washington, NC. Mr. Little is currently being held in Duval County, Fl.

Robbery at Hotel

2011-05-24T12:41:00.001-04:00

On Tuesday, May 24, 2011, around 12:26 am, Washington Police Officers responded to the Comfort Inn located at 1636 Carolina Ave, in reference to an alleged armed robbery. Officer’s report that a black male entered the hotel, displayed a handgun, and demanded money from the night clerk. The suspect fled the area on foot with an undisclosed amount of U.S. Currency. No injuries were reported.

Vacation Burglary Tips

2011-05-20T08:55:00.001-04:00

It’s the time of year that you might be planning your summer vacation. Here are a few tips -- some you might not have thought of -- for making sure your possessions are still there when you get back: Do not post about your vacation on Facebook or any other Social Media site until after you get back. If that takes more discipline than you can muster, at the very least keep your location

Purse Snatcher Arrested

2011-05-18T17:11:00.001-04:00

On Tuesday, May 17, Washington Police arrested Tracy Lynn Spivey, age 36 of Windsor, NC for a Common Law Robbery that occurred at Wal-Mart parking lot on the previous Sunday. During the robbery a woman’s purse was snatched from her, knocking her to the ground. Detectives have been following up on leads which resulted in the offenders apprehension in Windsor, NC. During the arrest additional

"Stay off the wall, but honor those on it"

2011-05-18T08:24:00.001-04:00

On Sunday, May 15, 2011, Washington Police Corporal Chad Edwards, attended the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day events in our Nations Capitol. He sent an E-Mail to PD members on Tuesday night. The following is an excerpt from that E-Mail. “This past weekend I watched another 165 names become a permanent part of the marble wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial.

Identity Crime – Learn How To Prevent It

2011-05-17T09:35:00.001-04:00

Identity crime results from crimes committed utilizing personal identifiers that have been stolen, compromised, altered, or synthetic (not based on an actual person’s identity) and are not related to the initial theft of an identity. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimated that in 2005, 8.3 million American adults were victims of identity theft. Compounding this already complex issue,

National Police Week 2011 - May 15-21

2011-05-16T09:01:00.001-04:00

National Police Week, which occurs each year during the week in which May 15 falls, recognizes the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. National Police Week is a

Local Felon Gets Sentenced to Federal Prison

2011-05-11T15:02:00.001-04:00

In July 2008, Adam Christopher Simpkins, 26, of 301 Washington St., Washington, NC, was arrested for being a convicted felon and possessing a firearm. Simpkins fled on foot during a traffic stop. As he was fleeing, he dropped a 9MM firearm. Due to Simpkins’ extensive prior criminal record, the case was adopted by the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) and later

Crime Statistics - April 2011

2011-05-09T13:41:00.001-04:00

Listed below are the categories of crimes reported by the WPD during April, 2011: Alcohol Crime – 1 Assault - 34 Breaking & Entering home or business – 20 Breaking & Entering of vehicle – 8 Child Neglect – 0 Court Violation - 2 Disorderly Conduct - 5 Fraud – 10 Kidnapping - 1 Larceny - 28 Misc. Offense - 34 Missing Person / Runaway - 8 Narcotic Crime

May is “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month”

2011-04-29T13:33:00.001-04:00

Spring means warm weather and the seasonal return of motorcycles on North Carolina’s roads. Gov. Bev Perdue has proclaimed May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to remind both motorcyclists and other drivers of the importance of motorcycle safety and sharing the road. “Educating bikers and other drivers about the importance of motorcycle safety and being alert to their surroundings is key to

Crime Statistics - March 2011

2011-04-08T09:21:00.001-04:00

Listed below are the categories of crimes reported by the WPD during March, 2011: Alcohol Crime - 3 Assault - 35 Breaking & Entering home or business - 12 Breaking & Entering of vehicle – 16 Child Neglect – 1 Court Violation - 1 Disorderly Conduct - 4 Fraud – 19 Kidnapping - 1 Larceny - 18 Misc. Offense - 31 Missing Person / Runaway - 5 Narcotic Crime - 44 Resist Arrest - 5

National Public Safety Telecommunications Week

2011-04-05T15:19:00.001-04:00

The City of Washington and the WPD will be honoring the men and women who serve as public safety dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, April 10 - 16, 2011. On April 05, 2011, Mayor Jennings and the City Council proclaimed April 10-16, 2011 to be “National Public Safety Telecommunications Week” in Washington, NC. Introduced to Congress by the Association of

Boating Laws & Regulations

2011-03-31T14:49:00.001-04:00

Being located in the heart of the Inner Banks along the Pamlico River, many residents and visitors to Washington enjoy boating activities here. The WPD and the Washington Department of Fire / Rescue / EMS encourages all boaters to follow the regulations and laws while having fun boating. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission states on it’s website: “Every year, thousands of boating

Beware ‘bail’ or ‘bond’ Scams

2011-03-24T14:54:00.001-04:00

The Washington Daily News printed this article on March 24, 2011 Elderly targeted by con artists seeking quick cash return The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is warning people to be wary of possible “bail” scams. Since March 15, the sheriff’s office has received two reports of fraudulent activity in which someone attempts to get another person to wire money to bail out an incarcerated

No Need 2 Speed … Obey or Pay

2011-03-24T08:23:00.001-04:00

Studies continue to show that speed is a major cause of injury and fatality on North Carolina roadways. In 2009 alone, there were 472 fatalities and more than 42,000 speed-related injuries on our roads. GHSP kicked off the pilot project No Need 2 Speed®, in June 2006 in Robeson, Cumberland, Harnett and Johnston counties to encourage drivers to slow down and follow the speed limit. This project

Georgia Officer Killed, Another Wounded

2011-03-23T08:29:00.001-04:00

An Athens Georgia Police Officer was shot dead and another was wounded while trying to apprehend carjacking suspects. This happened just before 1300 Hrs on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Click HERE to read more on this. The shootings came on the same day police chiefs from around the country met with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holdersaid and said that they supported longer prison terms for

Ride Safely

2011-03-22T09:27:00.001-04:00

The WPD encourages all motorcycle riders to wear approved helmets and ride safely

New Child Seat Guidelines

2011-03-22T08:31:00.001-04:00

March 21, 2011, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has revised its child restraint guidelines to be categorized by age rather than by type of child seat in order to keep pace with the latest scientific and medical research and the development of new child restraint technologies. Under the new guidelines, NHTSA is advising parents and caregivers to keep children in each restraint

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

2011-03-18T14:40:00.001-04:00

Founded in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is dedicated to honoring and remembering the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers in the United States. A nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Washington, DC, the Memorial Fund built and continues to maintain the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial – the nation’s monument to law enforcement

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Bullying

2011-03-17T10:30:00.001-04:00

School bullying continues to be on the rise and is happening at earlier ages. In a recent survey, at least seven out of 10 students claim that they have been bullied at least once at school, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. And more than half of all bullying incidents -- mental, verbal or physical, go unreported. As a parent, how do you know if your child is a

A Donation to help Comfort Children

2011-03-16T11:22:00.001-04:00

On March 4th, 2011, Judy Grissom & Yvonne Edwards of The First Baptist Church of Chocowinity donated a gift of two large bags of stuffed animals. These animals are intended to be carried by WPD officers in their cruisers and given to children when they are involved in car crashes or other upsetting incidents. “Something as simple as a teddy bear, can go along way in calming the nerves of a

Russian City Invites WPD K-9 for Exchange Program

2011-03-15T14:37:00.001-04:00

The Department of Police for the City of Ekaterinburg, Russia has extended an invitation to the WPD to participate in an exchange program. It would facilitate a K-9 team from each Department visiting the others Department in order to exchange tactics and ideas. This invitation came after a former Russian citizen, who now lives here in Beaufort County, wrote an article for a Russian

PNS Call-In: A Chance to Turn A Life Around

2011-03-14T16:02:00.001-04:00

On Saturday, March 12th, the Washington Police Department partnered with community leaders, civic leaders, legal entities, and local citizens, for another “Project Next Step” call-in . Project Next Step (PNS) is a grant-funded, community based initiative to change the environment in a targeted neighborhood. After months of information gathering, meetings with leaders in the City and the

NC Bicycle Laws

2011-03-14T09:23:00.001-04:00

Riding your bicycle is fun, healthy and good for the environment. But there are laws that govern the operation of bicycles, just like there are for cars and motorcycles. These laws are designed to ensure the safe operation of bikes. The NC DOT has published an excellent guide to bicycle and pedestrian laws and safety. The guide explains the bicycle helmet laws, headlamps for bikes and

Two Deputies Killed in Virginia

2011-03-14T08:49:00.001-04:00

Sunday, March 13, 2011 saw the death of two law enforcement officers in South Western Virginia. Whenever a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty, it is felt throughout the entire extended law enforcement family. Details of the incident may be found HERE. Please keep the families of the deputies and their department in your thoughts and prayers.

Booze It & Lose It

2011-03-12T01:23:00.001-05:00

Law Enforcement Officers across North Carolina will be conducting DWI check points and stepped-up patrols concentrating on the impaired driver during the NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s “St. Patrick’s Day Booze It & Lose It” campaign which runs from March 11-17, 2011. During last years “St. Patrick’s Day Booze It & Lose It” campaign, there were 38,303 traffic and criminal charges

Enjoy Your Community

2011-03-11T11:58:00.001-05:00

Are you wanting to get out of the house and get to know Washington a little better? Find out what's going on in Washington…”The Heart of The Inner Banks”, by clicking HERE .

WPD Bust Criminal Conspiracy that spans 2 States

2011-03-10T16:08:00.008-05:00

Washington Police Detectives have obtained warrants on three suspects involved in a coordinated conspiracy to commit larceny which occurred at the Washington Wal-Mart store on January 28. Those charged are Miosha Kenyetta Troy, age 26 of Wilmington NC, Tanesha Janay Richardson, age 22 of Wilmington, and Charlicia Renee Powell, age 26 of Wilmington. All three have been charged with Felony Larceny

The WPD is on Twiiter

2011-03-10T13:04:00.003-05:00

The WPD is now on Twitter. Our Twitter name is WPDNC . By following us on Twitter, you will receive all of our 'blog updates as they are posted and be alerted to other urgent information from the WPD.Follow us and tell other people to follow us too.We have added "tweet" and "facebook" buttons to our posts. You can now click those buttons to tweet or share on facebook any of our postings. Give

Crime Prevetion Tips for the Spring

2011-03-09T09:09:00.002-05:00

As the warm spring weather approaches, the Washington Police Department wants to remind you of some tips to keep yourself and your home safe during the spring months.Keep doors locked at all times. If you are working in the back yard, keep your front door and garage door closed and locked; and lock your back door when you are in the front yard. Always lock your doors when you leave, even if you

Cyber Crimes Involving Children

2011-03-04T12:35:00.007-05:00

Although the Internet can be a beneficial and convenient tool for students, child predators can use it to locate unsuspecting young victims.A survey conducted by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children revealed that one in five youths between the ages of 10 and 17 has received unwanted sexual solicitations online. The survey also indicated that one in four children has been exposed

Three Robbed at Hotel

2011-03-03T09:10:00.008-05:00

Tuesday night, March 01, at approximately 11:15 PM, police responded to room 213 of the Days Inn Hotel located at 916 Carolina Avenue about an alleged armed robbery. The officer's report indicate that a slim black male and heavy set black female knocked on the door of room 213 and upon the occupant opening the door, that he was assaulted. The suspects took a small amount of currency from the

Crime Statistics - February 2011

2011-03-03T08:39:00.000-05:00

Listed below are the categories of crimes reported by the WPD during February, 2011:Alcohol Crime - 2Assault - 19Breaking & Entering home or business - 6Breaking & Entering of vehicle - 13Desorderly Conduct - 6Fraud - 8Larceny - 18Misc. Offense - 15Missing Person / Runaway - 2Narcotic Crime - 22Resist Arrest - 5Rape - 1Robbery - 3Shoplifting - 11Traffic Crime (not DWI or routine tickets) -

Crime Statistics - January 2011

2011-02-28T08:41:00.005-05:00

Listed below are the categories of crimes reported by the WPD during January, 2011:Alcohol Crime - 3Assault - 17Breaking & Entering home or business - 5Breaking & Entering of vehicle - 9Court Violation - 1Fraud - 8Larceny - 16Misc. Offense - 13Missing Person / Runaway - 3Narcotic Crime - 68Resist Arrest - 7Robbery - 2Shoplifting - 6Traffic Crime (not DWI or routine tickets) - 4Trespassing -

WPD 'blog gets National Recognition

2011-02-18T15:38:00.005-05:00

This 'blog received honorable mention in the Criminal Justice Degree Schools' list of the top 25 Police Department 'blogs. The list can be viewed here.

Suspect Arrested for Armed Robbery

2011-01-12T11:06:00.004-05:00