Tag Archive for: #MADD

MADD, Crime Stoppers Aim to Get Drunk Drivers/Criminals Off the Streets

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James Baines, secretary of the local chapter of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and president of the Vance County Crime Stoppers, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss his involvement with both organizations.

MADD

In explaining the mission of MADD, Baines said the simple answer is that it is a volunteer group of people who care about the community and want to help get drunk drivers off the roads. “We need the community’s support; we can’t do this alone,” explained Baines.

Volunteers are needed in the following areas:

  • Community Outreach – volunteers who will create awareness of MADD’S mission
  • Court Monitors – volunteers who are trained to observe court process and record court decisions
  • Sobriety Checkpoints – volunteers who will support law enforcement officers at checkpoints
  • Victims Advocate Services – volunteers who are trained to assist in the healing journey by offering emotional support for families who endure a loss of a loved one due to a drunk driver

According to Baines, court monitors receive training on how to record the proceedings and outcomes of local DWI trials, while volunteers at sobriety checkpoints assist by providing law enforcement with meals and refreshments.

While he did not have exact figures, Baines said sobriety checkpoints typically result in 3 – 4 charges of DWI, no operator’s license, no auto insurance coverage and underage drinking.

To help combat the problem of underage drinking and driving, MADD has started a “Power of You(th)” program aimed at educating high school students.

Baines has seen his fair share of young lives ruined by drunk driving in his over 30-year career with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office. “The kids need to know that they could kill or injure someone if they drink and drive. You don’t want to ruin your life. We want them to know if they do drink, they need to find someone else to drive.”

The local chapter of MADD meets once a quarter – on the fourth Tuesday of the given month – at 6 p.m. in the County Commissioners’ Room inside the “old courthouse” on Young St. in Henderson. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, 2019.

If you are interested in joining or volunteering, please call Lorraine Watkins, president of the local MADD chapter, at (252) 492-8407.

Vance County Crime Stoppers

Switching hats, Baines, the recently named president of the Vance County Crime Stoppers, discussed the organization’s mission and fundraising opportunities.

Baines said his love for his community and for its leaders and citizens prompted him to join the organization five years ago. “I wanted to make a better community for our kids and grandkids. I’m going to do my best [as president] to make Henderson and Vance County a safer place to live and work.”

Crime Stoppers works much the same way that it has for its now 25-year history – those that witness a crime can call the hotline at (252) 492-1925 to report an anonymous tip. If that tip leads to an arrest or a conviction, the caller can be paid up to $2,000. Tips can also be reported by text via the P3 app.

Various Crime Stopper fundraisers, including the annual Kerr Lake golf tournament and annual recognition and award banquet, provide money for paying out eligible hotline tips.

“We want the community to be our eyes and ears. Our law enforcement officers get up every morning and don’t know if they are going to make it home to their families. If you see anything, say it! Don’t be afraid to call and leave a tip.”

Vance County Crime Stoppers is always looking for new members and is currently accepting applications for volunteers to serve on the Advisory Board. With questions or more information on joining Crime Stoppers, please call James Baines at (252) 430-9218.

To hear the interview with James Baines in its entirety, please click here.

Save the Date: MADD to Hold Next Meeting Jan. 22; Volunteers Needed

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-Information courtesy Lisa Horton, Vice President, MADD

The next MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) meeting will be held on Monday, January 22, 2019, at the “Old Court House” in Henderson, NC on Young St. at 6 p.m.  Please join us in the Commissioners Meeting Room upstairs!

Our Local MADD Chapter is in need of the following volunteers:
1). Community Outreach – volunteers who will create awareness of MADD’S mission.
2) Court Monitors – volunteers are trained to observe court process and record the decisions made.
3). Sobriety Checkpoints – volunteers who will join the team’s efforts to support law enforcement officers while performing at checkpoints.

4). Victims Advocate Services – volunteers are trained to assist in the healing journey by offering emotional support for families who endure a loss of a loved one by a drunk driver.

We look forward to seeing each of you on January 22. There are lots of exciting things occurring with our local MADD chapter through the end of this year and into 2019! Exciting times for MADD as we expand our chapter territory!

MADD MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.

MADD’S HIGHEST HONORS TO TROOP C DISTRICT 4

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— submitted by Lorraine Watkins, MADD President

MADD’S HIGHEST HONORS BESTOWED
ON NC HIGHWAY PATROL
TROOP C DISTRICT 4

MADD’S 2017 Annual Awards Banquet was held Thursday, April 5th in Cary, North Carolina. Vance, Franklin and Warren counties “Troop C District 4,” led by 1st Sergeant Jeff Rowan, had three troopers to receive the highest honors for the number of arrests made for keeping our highways safe from drunk and impaired drivers. Flanked by the Governor’s Highway Safety Program Director Mark Ezzell, Col. Glen M. McNeill, State Highway Patrol Commander, a judge, district attorneys, lawyers as well as state police officers, sheriff’s and deputies and other state highway patrol officers, the “2017 Enforcer Award” was presented to three of our troopers: Trooper Joseph Thomas, 154 arrests; Trooper Joshua Southerland, 128 arrests; and Trooper Eugene Burrell, 122 arrests. These troopers will tell you it’s not about numbers but saving innocent lives from being ripped from families by senseless acts of an impaired individuals. Our sincere congratulations to all three of these deserving men for a job well-done.

The final highlight of the evening was the presentation of the “Trooper Brandon Peterson Hero Award.” This first-time award was in memory of Trooper Peterson who lost his life in 2017. 1st Sergeant Rowan and his troopers were the recipients of this prestigious award representing the sincere heartfelt compassion of an officer and his team during difficult times for the family of a lost one as well as the perpetrator.

It is very humbling for MADD of Henderson, as young as we are as an organization, to have the honor of such caring troopers at our fingertips. Thank you, 1st Sgt. Rowan, for your sincere dedication and compassion, as well as that of your troopers. It is an honor for me and our team of volunteers to initiate this program, to support you, your men and all law enforcement officers in our city and county that selflessly make the effort to keep our travels safe.

Vance County Chapter of M.A.D.D. Meeting Minutes Jan 23, 2018

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Following up on an earlier story, available by clicking here, excitement continues to grow for the local Vance County Chapter of M.A.D.D.

Karen Callahan, a local M.A.D.D. organizer, forwarded the minutes of the January 23, 2018 meeting to WIZS News.

The secretary is James Baines.  The minutes read as follows:

January meeting was called by President Lorraine Watkins at 6:00pm.

The meeting was opened with prayer by Curtis Brame.

Minutes were read by Secretary James Baines, then approved by group and voted on as read.

President Watkins introduced special guest speaker Lori Brown, President of MADD in Raleigh NC.  Lori Brown spoke to those who attended in reference to victim’s service, law enforcement support, court monitoring, education and training and victim impact panel. During the meeting a joint exercise involving MADD, Law Enforcement, EMT’s and the community was discussed. Bryant Williams, Battalion Chief with Vance County Fire Department, told the group that they had recreated a fatal accident scene last year at a local senior prom. He stated what it took to pull this event together and with that note all those were excited about the upcoming exercise at VGCC. Date and time to be announced later.

At the meeting, the community and law enforcement were given a birds eye view of the Booze It & Loose It Bus. Tonya Skinner of Department of Health and Human Services gave a brief speech about what the Bat Mobile can do.  Also speaking to the group was Stokes Barnes and he spoke briefly about what his organization does in reference to MADD.

MADD in Vance County had the honor of DA Mike Waters, Clerk of Superior Court Henry Gupton, members of the NC State Highway Patrol, Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson Police Department, the Henderson Fire Department and County Fire and EMS personnel.

President Watkins told us that she was glad we are finally moving our plan forward to get MADD off the ground in Vance County, but was a little disappointed that more citizens were not at the meeting. She indicated things will get better. We
are moving forward.

President Watkins told the group that she recently attended a conference in Winston Salem NC dealing with various aspects of what MADD does and stands for.  She told the group that she is excited to get a MADD Chapter here in Vance County.

M.A.D.D. Henderson-Vance Meeting Jan 23, 2018

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Local citizens and people interested are encouraged to attend a Henderson-Vance Mothers Against Drunk Driving meeting Tuesday, January 23 at 6:00 p.m.  It will take place in the Vance County Commissioners meeting room at the old courthouse downtown.

M.A.D.D. representatives Lorraine Watkins and Karen Callahan appeared on WIZS TownTalk Monday to promote the meeting.  Click here to listen.

Watkins told WIZS, “We are having a lady named Tonia Skinner coming.  She is bringing something called the Bat Mobile.  The Bat Mobile is the big, gynormous van where people that have been arrested at check points…they take them in there and they have to go through all the testing…”  She said the Bat Mobile is amazing.

Watkins said Irene Dwinnell is coming.  “She is the head of the M.A.D.D. program at the state level, and Lori Brown is going to come too.  She is the head of the chapter program.”

Impaired driving includes driving under the influence of drugs as well.

Click here and listen to the rest of the story on WIZS TownTalk from Monday continuing from the 4 minute mark.