Tag Archive for: #hendersonpolicedepartment

Police Department One Step Closer To Body-Worn Cameras, If Grant Comes Through

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The Henderson City Council has given the go-ahead for a couple of requests for grant funding to equip police officers with body cams and law enforcement cruisers with additional cameras.

At its July 12 meeting, council members approved grant proposals that Police Chief Marcus Barrow and staff have prepared. “Our officers have been asking for them for several years,” Barrow told WIZS News Thursday. He said if the application is approved, it will provide half the money needed to equip the officers with body-worn cameras. “We are seeking a grant that has a 50 percent match. The match funds would come from asset forfeiture funds or state treasury funds, which both are only used by law enforcement,” he added.

Barrow said his department does have some in-car cameras now, but so far, no body cams. “The cost to outfit an agency our size has been prohibitive in the past and we felt that this was an opportunity to seize assistance,” he said. The cost lies mainly with data storage, not in the camera itself, he explained, adding that many law enforcement agencies are faced with a similar challenge. All data should be kept for at least 90 days, he said, but tagged information may need to be kept forever.

If the department does get the grant funding for $48,958, the chief said it would set into motion additional regulations and policies for the department to follow. “I am sure there will be some growing pains associated with the use of body cameras,” Barrow said, “but we will educate and train the use to be muscle memory for the officers and use corrective action for any misuse.”

City Manager Terrell Blackmon said since the police department is an accredited department through the Commission for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), “Chief Barrow has taken the time to develop standards for our officers based on best practices from around the country and from our accrediting agency.”

“I’ve always stood by my position that we would not introduce this product unless and until we could afford to properly apply it,” Barrow added.

The second grant for $21,599 is for purchase of three WatchGuard Video Camera systems and does not require matching local funds and would be shared with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, according to information from the city council agenda. The city would get almost $13,000 and the county would get just over $8,600.

Henderson Police Department

HPD: 17-Year-Old Shot by Juvenile Suspect Succumbs to Injury

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, Henderson Police Department

On Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at approximately 5:50 p.m., officers of the Henderson Police Department arrived at 111 S. Pinkston Street in response to a person being shot. When responders arrived, they located 17-year-old Tysean Wortham of Henderson suffering from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Mr. Wortham was transported to a medical facility where he later succumbed to his injury.

Through the public’s assistance, the investigators of the Henderson Police Department quickly developed a suspect. Shortly after midnight, investigators were able to take the suspect, a 15-year-old juvenile, into custody without incident.

The motive behind this tragedy remains under investigation and no further information can be released about the arrestee due to his age.

As always, we are grateful for the community we serve and the assistance they provide us in our duties. We are still seeking information from the public about this incident. Please contact us through Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at (252) 492-1925 or P3 app, call us at (252) 438-4141, or contact us through Facebook or Instagram.

Henderson Police Department

One Dead, Two Injured in Shooting on Rowland St.

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-Press Release, Henderson Police Department

On Sunday, October 11, 2020, at approximately 8:20 p.m., officers of the Henderson Police Department were dispatched to 406 Rowland Street to investigate a shooting.

When they arrived, they located an unnamed male (name release pending family notification) suffering from a gunshot wound. The unnamed person had succumbed to his injuries prior to officers’ arrival. Two others had received non-life-threatening injuries, and a third person is being interviewed at this time.

At this point, this investigation is being deemed a domestic-related incident.

This is a fluid, ongoing investigation. More information will be forthcoming.

Henderson Police Department

HPD: 18-Year-Old Shot, Killed in Apparent Drug Deal Gone Awry

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-Press Release, Henderson Police Department

On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at approximately 8:43 p.m., officers of the Henderson Police Department were dispatched to the 600 block of E. Andrews Avenue to investigate gunfire. When they arrived, they located Alveante (Al) Markeith Holden (18), of Vance County, suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso.

Holden was found seated inside a vehicle he had been operating earlier, in the parking lot of “The Wash House,” a laundromat. Holden had succumbed to his injuries prior to the officers’ arrival.

Evidence was found in and around “The Wash House,” and several individuals were interviewed. Through information gathered, Holden is a victim of a narcotics transaction gone awry.

The suspect is a white male and is believed to be the sole shooter in the incident. He was accompanied by another white male and a white female.

HPD is seeking the assistance of the community and the people of the surrounding area to solve this case. We are currently looking for an extended cab, white, full-size truck with a high stance, possibly a lift kit. The make of the vehicle is not clear but is possibly a GMC or Chevrolet. The only additional descriptor we have is brush/limbs protruding from the cargo area.

We are pleading with the community for anyone with information about this case to contact us immediately. A cash reward of up to $2,000 is offered through Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers ((252) 492-1925 or P3 app).

Please call the HPD at (252) 438-4141 or contact us through Facebook or Instagram.

John Williams Mug Shot

Suspect in Shooting of Female While on Release for Homicide Located, Arrested

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-Information courtesy the Henderson Police Department

Today, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested John Williams without incident on outstanding warrants from their office, along with outstanding warrants from the Henderson Police Department.

On Friday, September 25, 2020, officers of the Henderson Police Department responded to the 200 block of Chavasse Avenue after receiving a call of a person being shot. When they arrived, they located Tracey L. Person (51) suffering from a single gunshot wound to the upper torso.

Person was transported to an area medical facility for treatment of her injuries.

She and a male friend had been walking in the area when a dark-colored vehicle pulled alongside them and an occupant fired a weapon. As a result of HPD’s investigation, it is believed the male walking with Person was the intended target of the assault.

Through the assistance of the public, the shooter was identified as John Williams, age 37, of Vance County.

Williams was on pre-trial release for a homicide that occurred in Vance County.

Williams is now in the Vance County Jail without bond due to these charges and his previous pretrial release conditions.

John Williams Mug Shot

Williams Suspected in Shooting of Female While on Release for Homicide

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-Press Release and photos, Henderson Police Department

On Friday, September 25, 2020, officers of the Henderson Police Department responded to the 200 block of Chavasse Avenue after receiving a call of a person being shot. When they arrived, they located Tracey L. Person (51) suffering from a single gunshot wound to the upper torso.

Person was transported to an area medical facility for treatment of her injuries.

She and a male friend had been walking in the area when a dark-colored vehicle pulled alongside them and an occupant fired a weapon. As a result of HPD’s investigation, it is believed the male walking with Person was the intended target of the assault.

Through the assistance of the public, the shooter has been identified as John Williams, age 37, of Vance County.

Williams is described as a black male, approximately six-feet tall and 220 lbs. Williams is currently on pre-trial release for a homicide that occurred in Vance County.

HPD is asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of John Williams to contact the department immediately at (252) 438-4141 or through Facebook or Instagram.

A cash reward of up to $2,000 is offered through Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers – (252) 492-1925 or P3 app.

Planet Fitness

HPD Releases Statement on Opening of Planet Fitness

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-Press Release, Henderson Police Department

The City of Henderson and its Police Department received definitive information that Planet Fitness will open its North Carolina facilities under an interpretation of Executive Order 141 to “allow members with a medical need to exercise.”

Due to the complexities of the “Executive Order” in this specific discourse, we will seek the guidance and lead of State officials and their subject matter experts.

Our greatest concern is the health of our community as a whole, and this will remain our stance in seeking clarification in this matter. We implore our citizens to use their best judgment and follow the guidance that has been established. We all want a prosperous and healthy community.

Henderson Police Department

Henderson Police Arrests for 8-6-20

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The following arrest reports on file today at the Henderson Police Department:

Shortly past 10 a.m., on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, police arrested Jerome Manson, 32, of 150 Falkner Street, Henderson. Manson was charged with three felonies including two counts of trafficking opium/heroin as well as possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver heroin and one count of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling place.

Bond amount listed at $507,000, and he was confined to the Vance County Jail by the magistrate pending a court date of August 10.

Police arrested Damien Lamar Bullock, 27, of 1261 Americal Road, Lot 4 on Wednesday, August 5 about 3:45 p.m. He was charged with three felonies including possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver heroin, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling place and sell and deliver counterfeit controlled substance.

Secured bond amount listed as $90,000, and Bullock was jailed by the magistrate pending an August 17 court date.

In another matter, second-degree kidnapping, felony hit and run injury and aggressive/careless driving were the charges resulting in the arrest of Shonkale Jabar Davis, 22, of 711 Arch Street. He was arrested on-view at that residence on Wednesday, August 5 about 6:45 p.m.

The magistrate gave a $60,000 secured bond in the matter, and Davis was jailed prior to a November 20 court date.

Henderson Police Department

Henderson Police Department Addresses Public Face Covering Requirement

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In response to the announcement earlier this week that NC’s Safer at Home Phase 2 will be extended for three more weeks, and face coverings are now required in public places, the Henderson Police Department addressed local enforcement of the order via Facebook.

HPD’s statement reads:

“As always, I strongly encourage everyone to take safeguards to protect themselves, their families, friends, neighbors, and all others. As of 5 p.m. today (Friday, June 26, 2020) EXECUTIVE ORDER 147 takes effect. I urge everyone to read EXECUTIVE ORDER 147 (click here) for its content and in its entirety.

There are no provisions to charge a person for simply failing to wear a face covering in public. The enforcement section of this document only pertains to varying businesses, certain government, and transportation settings. Violations under this order can be issued only to businesses or organizations that fail to enforce the face covering requirement.

Law enforcement personnel are not authorized to criminally enforce the “face covering” requirements of this Executive Order against individual workers, customers, or patrons. The “Exceptions” section of the order makes it difficult to enforce the face covering requirements of the Governor’s order based on the way the order is worded and the numerous exceptions listed.

Downtown Henderson

Town Talk 06/01/20: Henderson Police Chief Discusses Sunday’s ‘Peaceful’ Downtown Protest

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Barrow discussed Sunday’s protest/walk through downtown Henderson, a response, in part, to the death of George Floyd, an African-American man who died during an incident with law enforcement in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25.

Following days of both orderly protests and violent riots and looting throughout the country, Barrow reported that Sunday’s local gathering was both “peaceful and productive.”

Barrow estimated 30-40 Henderson residents participated in the protest, including local community leaders Kendrick Vann, director of the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department; Lt. Jessica West, Henderson Police Department; Sara Coffey, Henderson Mayor Pro Tem; and Henderson City Council Members Melissa Elliott and Marion Williams.

“These community members came out yesterday to engage with the group, to engage our youth in conversation,” said Barrow. “We walked around downtown peacefully and talked and held a conversation the entire time. I think it was very productive.”

When asked to elaborate on their discussions, Barrow said, “We talked about history and where we are today. We talked about the incident in Minnesota. We talked about the right way of doing things and the wrong way of doing things. They were receptive to what we had to say and I feel like we were open to what they wanted to talk about and their opinions. We agreed on the majority of the things we discussed.”

According to Barrow, during the protest, phone numbers were exchanged and dates were scheduled for further discussions “among some Henderson residents whose paths had never crossed before.”

Barrow said some participants asked him if there were any fundamental changes he would like to see in law enforcement. “I told them ‘absolutely,'” he said. “As a nation, I think there are some fundamental changes we need to make to our hiring process and the way we operate.”

While currently a voluntary measure, Barrow said one thing he’d like to see is more law enforcement agencies become a part of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). According to Barrow, the Henderson Police Department is a CALEA participant with the next closest accredited departments being Durham and Raleigh.

“CALEA provides police departments and sheriff’s departments alike with opportunities to have up-to-date policies and best practices,” explained Barrow.

For those planning future protests or demonstrations in Henderson, Barrow said the proper procedure is to contact the HPD at (252) 431-4141 to file the required paperwork.

To hear the interview with Barrow in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.