Tag Archive for: #cityofoxford

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Oxford Officials Discuss Recent Crime Uptick, Offer Possible Solutions

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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

Present: Chairman Quon Bridges, Members Commissioners Pat Fields & John Tovey. Staff Advisors: Fire Chief David Cottrell III and Police Chief Al Coley.

Others Present: Mayor Jackie Sergent, City Manager Alan Thornton, City Clerk Cynthia Bowen, Commissioners Danny Currin, Ron Bullock, Patricia Gilreath, Captain Pat Ford, Lieutenants Lynn Curl, and Michel Stockwell.

Agenda Item: Discuss the City of Oxford’s coordinated response efforts to reduce unlawful activity. Chairman Bridges recognized Chief Coley, who gave the following response to the recent shootings and crime in the City of Oxford. (This is an abbreviated version of the Chief’s speech, the full version is on file at the City Clerk’s office.)

This is to inform and update everyone on the efforts of the Oxford Police Department in regards to the recent shootings and violent crimes that have occurred over the last few months. Additionally, it is my intention to illustrate some of the strategies and plans of actions that we are taking to combat these community ills. However, I will be limited in some instances from describing certain details that may compromise our objectives and/or increase the dangers to officer safety.

From November 13, 2019, through January 13, 2020:

 Oxford has experienced eight aggravated assault cases, including one (1) murder case. Of those cases, Oxford Police has arrested two (2) juveniles, one (1) adult was arrested and charged with (Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury), warrants are on file for three (3) of the cases, and three (3) cases are pending lab results, and one case is active with few leads.

 Oxford Police was dispatched to nine (9) calls of service for shots fired. Seven (7) were unfounded, and two (2) were founded, whereby we have an active investigation ongoing and awaiting lab results. These cases are active and continuous.

 Oxford Police has investigated six (6) robberies resulting in one (1) arrest, one (1) warrant, one (1) case closed leads exhausted, and three (3) active cases.

 Oxford Police has investigated five (5) Breaking & Entering cases. Four (4) B&E cases are active, and one (1) case is inactive.

In many of the cases listed above, Oxford Police is faced with the major challenge of victims and witnesses refusing to cooperate with the investigation. The reasoning for lack of cooperation varies. However, we have found that in most instances, it is the fear of retaliation by the perpetrator.

The victim and witness fear is understandable since the law enforcement community, including Oxford Police, has experienced violent criminals making bond within hours after being arrested.

Strategies to deter crime in the City of Oxford:

 We believe the greatest leverage we have against these types of criminals is the partnership of the public and police and, to that extent, we have initiated a community watch campaign. This new initiative will begin on February 18, 2020, with a meeting at City Hall to generate momentum throughout the entire city. Detective Fields will lead the meeting explaining the operation of community watch, and City Clerk Bowen will be a point of contact in the coordination of the program throughout the city.

 Another strategy we are developing is an increased awareness campaign, whereby members of Oxford Police and I will meet citizens to discuss and answer questions related to their concerns about safety within Oxford.

 Oxford Police is exploring the use of technology to solve crimes and increase the apprehension of criminals through the use of technology. Law enforcement agencies throughout the country have begun to use the “Ring” doorbell camera technology to identify criminals during criminal activities.

 Oxford Police has initiated a “Power Shift,” whereby four selected officers have been assigned to a team to enforce and patrol high crime areas. This team has a unique schedule that constantly changes to meet the challenges and threats that our intelligence information or evidence guides us.

Although we are using many strategies and practices to deter the criminal elements within Oxford, we cannot do it alone. Therefore, we have made great relationships with other law enforcement agencies throughout the state and federally such as the Granville County Sheriff’s Department, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, the North Carolina Highway Patrol, neighboring agencies to include Henderson Police, Creedmoor Police, Butner Police, Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Warren County Sheriff’s Office and others.

The Oxford PD Command Staff and Chief Coley will review and evaluate their goals continuously to ensure that they are obtaining results that are reflective of a safe community.

After a brief question and answer period on the information above, the meeting was adjourned.

Oxford Residents Invited to Neighborhood Watch Meeting

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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

All Oxford residents are invited to attend a City-wide neighborhood watch informational meeting on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, in the third-floor Commissioners Board Room of Oxford’s City Hall. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Get the information and support needed to start a Community Watch program in your neighborhood, receive the latest on crime in the area and learn about crime prevention from the Oxford Police Department.

Oxford City Hall is located at 300 Williamsboro Street.

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Oxford’s Public Safety Committee to Discuss Crime Reduction Efforts

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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

The Public Safety Committee for the Oxford Board of Commissioners will meet on Friday, January 24, 2020, at 1:15 p.m. The meeting will be held in the First Floor Training Room, City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street in Oxford.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the City of Oxford’s coordinated response efforts to reduce unlawful activity. 

All those interested are invited to attend.

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Oxford’s Property, Public Safety Committees to Meet Tues., Nov. 19

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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

The Property, Buildings, and Real Estate Committee for the Oxford Board of Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at 1 p.m. The meeting will be held in the First Floor Training Room, City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Armory and Properties and Code Enforcement Concerns.

The Public Safety Committee for the Oxford Board of Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, immediately following the Property, Buildings, and Real Estate Committee meeting. The meeting will be held in the First Floor Training Room, City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Potential Installation of Downtown Temporary Street Bulb-Outs.

All those interested are invited to attend.

City of Oxford to Hold Thanksgiving Food Drive

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-Information courtesy Alyssa Blair, Executive Administrative Assistant, City of Oxford

The City of Oxford will hold a Thanksgiving Food Drive from Friday, October 25 through Tuesday, November 26, 2019.

Please bring in non-perishable food items for local families in need! Drop off boxes will be located in City of Oxford departments.

For more information, please call Alyssa Blair at (919) 603-1102 or email alyssa.blair@oxfordnc.org.

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City of Oxford Seeking Downtown, Historical Pictures

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-Information courtesy the City of Oxford

The City of Oxford is seeking photos from around the city to use on its website. Desired photos include those of downtown Oxford and pictures of historical homes, buildings or scenery.

Please submit anything you are willing to share to City Clerk Cynthia Bowen by email at cbowen@oxfordnc.org.

The City of Oxford thanks you!

City of Oxford Operating New Street Sweeper; Offers Yard Waste Reminders

-Information courtesy the City of Oxford’s E-Newsletter

The City of Oxford recently placed a new street sweeper into service. Citizens and visitors to Oxford will once again see the City’s streets clean and free of debris. The new sweeper will continue to follow the route previously established by the City of Oxford.

A Friendly Reminder Regarding Yard Waste

All grass, leaves, hedge trimmings and small items should be bagged, boxed or containerized in some manner, with the exception of city leaf collection when they can be placed at the curbside during the city’s designated leaf season: Mid-October through Mid-January.

  • Limbs should not exceed 4 feet in length.
  • Yard waste should not exceed 200 lbs. per week. Where brush is in excess of 2 inches in diameter, please cut into 2-3 feet lengths. NO stumps will be picked up.
  • Brush and limbs are to be tied or bundled. If not, please stack all ends the same way in a neat pile. Each bundle should not exceed 50 lbs.
  • All leaves, grass, hedge trimmings and small items should be bagged, boxed or containerized in some manner and should not exceed 50 lbs.
  • Leaves may be left loose (un-bagged), at the curb, during leaf season: Mid-October through Mid-January for collection by the City.
  • Do not blow mowed grass into the street. This can clog storm drains and add nitrogen and phosphorous to creeks.

Do not park your vehicles on, in front of, or near leaves. The crews need to be able to easily reach the leaves for pick up. Please do not place leaves in the street, block drainage basins, or drainage ditches. Leaves must be within 8-10 feet of the street for collection.

Please visit the City of Oxford’s website (click here) to identify which day of the week your yard/brush debris, garbage and recycling are collected.

If you have any questions, please contact Oxford’s Public Works Department at (919) 603-1151.

Oxford’s Public Works Committee to Meet Tues., March 19

Press Release, City of Oxford

The Public Works, Water, & Infrastructure Committee for the Oxford Board of Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at 10:30 a.m.

The meeting will be held in the First Floor Training Room, City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street in Oxford. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss painting the new water tank and the resurfacing project.

All those interested are invited to attend.

Zoning Amendments Continue to Make Oxford Board of Commissioners’ Agenda

-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

The City of Oxford Board of Commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room, City Hall.

Agenda items include:

Chris and Amanda Welsh from FLY HNZ, new management at the Oxford Henderson Airport – update on the plans for the airport.

Public Hearing to receive citizen input on amending the zoning ordinance to include the definition of a craft distillery and amending the table of permitted uses to allow a craft distillery in the B-1 zoning district.

Public Hearing to receive citizen input on a rezoning request from Eddie Caudle to rezone 8 acres of land from RA to B2.

Consider rewarding the 2019 Concessionaire Contract for Oxford Park Athletic Complex to Farmer John’s Ice Cream, Robert Glover.

Consider Accepting Certificate of Sufficiency for Petition of Voluntary, Contiguous, Annexation for 3 + acres of land adjacent to the Hardees property located on Industry Drive and consider adopting a resolution calling for an annexation public hearing to be held in conjunction with the April 9, Regular Session if the Board desires to move forward with annexation.

Consider appointing George Summers to the Planning Board.

Consider adopting a Resolution for 2017 Local Water Supply Plan.

Consider approving a Budget Amendment for WWTP Headworks Repairs.

Please click here for the full agenda for the City of Oxford Board of Commissioners’ March 12, 2019, meeting.

Oxford Board to Consider Rezoning Requests, Demolitions at Feb. Meeting

-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

The City of Oxford Board of Commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 12, 2018, at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room, City Hall.

Agenda items include:

Consider accepting the annual financial report for FY 20172018.

Consider the issue regarding insurance benefits for retired elected officials.

Consider adopting a resolution requesting the City Clerk to investigate the sufficiency of the annexation petition for the parcel of land adjacent to the Hardees property located on Industry Drive.

Consider calling for a public hearing at the March 12, 2019, Regular Board meeting regarding the amending of the B-1 zoning ordinance.

Consider calling for a public hearing for the March regular Board meeting for a rezoning request from Eddie Caudle to rezone 8 acres of land from R-A to B-2.

Consider adopting a demolition ordinance for the property located at 311 McClanahan Street.

Consider adopting a demolition ordinance for property located at 100 King Street.

Consider approving a subdivision plat which includes subdividing a 3.00-acre tract of land from an existing 10-acre tract. The remaining acreage will create a 7.11-acre tract of land. The zoning for the property is located off of Tobacco Rd.

Award the bid for the WWTP West Sludge Lagoon Rehabilitation.

Re-appoint James Crawford to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Consider appointing Jacalyn Thomas to the Historic Preservation Commission.

To review the full agenda, please click here