Tag Archive for: #marcusbarrow

The Local Skinny! “Shop With A Cop And Friends” A Success This Holiday Season

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Early-morning shoppers in the vicinity of Walmart Tuesday morning may have noticed a large presence of law enforcement officers, but there was nothing amiss – in fact, Police Chief Marcus Barrow said it was a great day for Shop With A Cop And Friends.

There were plenty of uniformed officers on hand from Henderson Police Department, Vance County Sheriff’s Office, State Highway Patrol and other agencies to help children choose some toys, clothing items and more, Barrow told WIZS News Tuesday. One of the PD’s lieutenants shucked his uniform and put on a Grinch costume, he added.

“We shopped for 52 kids and nine elderly adults,” Barrow said. In addition to the generous fundraising efforts of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce that netted about $15000, Barrow said some additional donations brought the grand total to just about $20,000.

City Manager Terrell Blackmon, District Attorney Mike Waters, Henderson Fire Chief Tim Twisdale and Battalion Chief Lee Edmonds were just a few of the local leaders who took part in the event.

Newly elected Henderson City Council member Sam Seifert said he helped a 5-year-old named Donna fill up a couple of carts.

“The toy section was a popular one today,” Seifert told WIZS News Tuesday. “We went there first – we had to dodge others on the aisle,” he said, but everyone was good-spirited about it.

“I pointed out things that she might be interested in,” he said. “We filled up two carts and (got) This was his first experience with Shop With A Cop, but he said he heard others remark that they were impressed with the turnout.

Barrow said it was important to add the two words “And Friends” to the “Shop With A Cop” moniker.
“We’ve always had more kids than the police department and sheriff’s office could handle,” he said. “We’ve always done the law enforcement side, and the fire department came along (over) the last couple of years.” Having representatives from the District Attorney’s office, state parks, Parks and Rec and Animal Services has strengthened the community support for the program.

Barrow recalled a special moment from the morning’s activities: “I talked to one of our brand new officers,” Barrow said. “This is his first experience” with Shop With A Cop. “I actually saw him tearing up a little bit.”

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TownTalk: Chief Barrow and “The State of the Police Department”

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Like most law enforcement leaders, Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow would prefer a lower crime rate. But Barrow said he’s pretty satisfied with the level of protection that his officers provide throughout the city. And until that crime rate is zero, he said he will “keep fighting the good fight and looking for innovative ways to improve” the department he oversees.

Barrow provided business leaders and others from the community a “State of the Police Department” report during a Chamber of Commerce event in September, and he reviewed those comments on Monday’s TownTalk.

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“I think we’re doing well,” he said, but added that “you always want to improve – always want things to be better.”

The Flock camera system that has recently been installed is proving useful, Barrow said. “I did give up one (officer) position for Flock,” he said. “That was a smart move.”

“Flock is very beneficial to everything we do,” he said. “I’ve seen it work…and I’m a true believer.”

Law enforcement officers will take help – whether it’s in the form of a camera system or from other agencies who come together to execute search warrants and seize illegal drugs and weapons.

The Henderson Police Department is allocated 51 sworn positions, with 40 active officers and 5 more in training. There are 6 vacancies at the present time.

The police force has shrunk by 7 officers since Barrow arrived in 1998, he said he’s satisfied with the number. “I’m trying to make it cost effective for the city,” he said.

Interested in becoming a police officer? They’re hiring. And Base pay is close to $49,000; certain experience and education levels boost that base pay.

That competitive pay is, well, paying off. Barrow said a recent hire moved from a job in another town because Henderson offered a better pay package.

Henderson police officers are on track this year to handle more drug search warrants than last year, and they’re also on track to seize more guns than last year. Last year, officers collected 170 guns. Through September, officers have taken 145.

It leaves Barrow in a bit of a dilemma as to what to do with the upwards of 1,500 guns currently sitting in his evidence vault.

State law says the guns could be returned to their rightful owner – after lots and lots of research into who actually owns them. They also can be sold to a gun dealer or put into use by the police department.

They may only be destroyed if they are damaged or unable to be fired safely, Barrow added.

For Barrow, that limits his options. “I don’t want to put them back on the street,” he said, adding that he would only be willing to sell to a dealer that specializes in law enforcement weapons. He’d trade them in for other equipment his officers could use.

 

TownTalk: Boyd Dealership Victim Of Vehicle Theft

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Henderson Police are investigating the theft of three new luxury vehicles from a local car dealership that possibly is related to a spate of similar thefts across the state.

In an interview Wednesday, Police Chief Marcus Barrow told WIZS that the vehicles – a 2023 Cadillac Escalade, a 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and a 2023 Audi Q5 were driven off the lot of Charles Boyd Chevrolet just before 2 a.m. on Sunday, April 16. The vehicles have an estimated value of $235,000.

Three suspects, which video footage from the dealership shows were all wearing dark clothing, hoods, masks and gloves, broke a window to gain entry inside the building, located at 250 Ruin Creek Road. The whole thing occurred in just over 10 minutes.

This seems to match up with several other incidents across the state, Barrow said. “Multiple locations across North Carolina have been hit this year,” he explained. And it appears the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County area is a “homebase.”

The Escalade’s OnStar GPS system was used to locate the vehicle later on Sunday morning in Matthews, Barrow said, which is a Charlotte suburb.

“I think it’s a fairly large criminal organization doing it,” Barrow said of the break-in and larceny. His department is working with authorities in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area, the SBI as well as Homeland Security as the investigation continues.

Many car dealerships have similar setups, with keys in the same area, Barrow noted. It could be that people were watching how people and vehicles enter and exit the building over time, or they could have located particular vehicles at particular dealerships before deciding where to strike.

Barrow said the Boyd family was helpful in contacting other dealerships to figure out where thieves had struck, giving local police information to make calls to law enforcement agencies where previous thefts had occurred.

The break-in occurred at 1:43 a.m. and the vehicles were seen driving off the lot west on US 158 Bypass toward Oxford just 11 minutes later, at 1:54 a.m.

This is an active investigation and Barrow asks anyone with information to contact the Henderson Police Department at 252.438.4141, Crime Stoppers at 252.492.1925 or use the P3 app.

Financial compensation is offered for information leading to the arrest of the
responsible individuals.

 

 

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Mike Davis

Town Talk 06/18/20: In Memory of Retired Captain Michael ‘Mike’ Davis

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

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

Barrow discussed the recent passing of Retired Captain Michael “Mike” Rodney Davis, Sr. who served the Henderson Police Department and the Vance County community for 45 years.

Davis was honored at a graveside service on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Elmwood Cemetery in Henderson, with arrangements provided by Davis-Royster Funeral Service – the same funeral home that he once provided with police escort services.

“We did the last call yesterday at the graveside service, and that finalizes so many things, but it’s still surreal that he’s gone,” said Barrow. “For those who aren’t familiar with a last call, a 911 communicator calls out for the officer three separate times. After the third call, the officer will be announced as 10-42, or out of service. The responding dispatcher will then thank the person for their service. It’s very solemn and heartfelt.”

Davis, who joined the HPD in 1975, was one of the first people Barrow met when he came on board 22 years ago.

Retired Captain Michael “Mike” Rodney Davis, Sr., who served the Henderson Police Department and the Vance County community for 45 years, passed away June 9, 2020. (Image courtesy HPD)

“He was one of the first people I got to meet when I walked in the door, and I knew that Capt. Davis was in charge,” Barrow said. “He was a cop’s cop but a community cop also. He was stern when he needed to be stern, kind when he needed to be kind and a true professional. He loved to wear a uniform and, man, could he wear a uniform. When I picture him, I see him in uniform.”

While officially retired since 2006, Barrow said the department jokes that Davis didn’t know how to be retired. “We refer to him as retired, but he never really retired. He stayed on with the agency, and I think he put in more hours than anyone working various security positions and providing escorts for Davis-Royster Funeral Service. No one could do a funeral escort the way that Capt. Davis could; that’s an irreplaceable service to the community.”

In honor of Davis, Barrow said Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson was lined yesterday with marked police vehicles “with blue lights flashing” and uniformed officers who saluted the hearse and Davis’ family. “That’s the least we can do for the family and in honor of Capt. Davis,” stated Barrow.

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

Henderson Police Department

Town Talk 01/06/20: HPD Chief Marcus Barrow Discusses New Year, Firearms

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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, who was happy to report that the Henderson Police Department is starting the new year fully staffed, discussed numerous topics including the discharge of firearms inside city limits, the sheer number of guns in both the community and the country as a whole and the right to bear arms.

Plans for new initiatives for the new year, including a possible local version of the national “Coffee With a Cop” open community dialogue program, are already underway. To be more inclusive of the entire community, Barrow said the department is looking at changing the name of the program to shift the focus from law enforcement to citizen input and discussion.

The HPD is currently in talks with the newly opened Sadie’s Coffee Corner in downtown Henderson to provide the location and, of course, the coffee.

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

Henderson Police Department

HPD Chief Credits Agency Cooperation, Public’s Help With Drug Arrests

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS Town Talk for a general discussion on crime in the city as well as to provide updates on recent newsworthy incidents.

Barrow reassured listeners that law enforcement is making strides in the on-going war against drugs, a feat that he believes is made possible by the cooperative spirit between local agencies.

“We’ve federally indicted 152 people now since I became chief in December 2013,” Barrow said. “I think that’s very successful. Our District Attorney’s office has made some transitions to move some cases along in the state court system, which has really helped.”

“Our agencies are working really well together right now. The sheriff [Curtis Brame] has been a blessing to our agency. Our togetherness shows and shines through; it’s like it should be.”

Another essential part of fighting crime, according to Barrow, is the information and assistance provided by the general public and organizations such as Vance County Crime Stoppers.

“We wouldn’t solve anything without the public unless we saw it first hand,” said Barrow. “The information the public gives us is vital to every investigation – especially violent crimes and drug deals.”

While violent crimes and drug arrests often get the most press, Barrow reassured citizens that most calls are less intense in nature. “We get a large volume of calls, the majority of which are common, domestic calls such as arguments and civil issues.”

When asked about police pay and retention rates, Barrow said progress has been made in making salary and benefits more competitive, an accomplishment he credits, in part, to Henderson City Manager Frank Frazier.

“In my short tenure as chief, the City Manager [Frazier] has been instrumental in assisting the police department with huge pay increases. We aren’t quite there yet, but we do have benefits that people don’t have in other locations. It takes us going out and making those recruitment contacts for people to understand what the City of Henderson has to offer.”

To hear Barrow’s interview in its entirety, including updates on recent crimes in Henderson, please click here. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

Henderson Police Department

Town Talk 09/26/19: Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow On-Air

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Henderson Man Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

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NEW BERN – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced that in federal court on April 5, 2017, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced WILLIAM LACHLIAN ORMOND, III, 29, of Henderson, NC to 57 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.

ORMOND was named in an Indictment filed on March 22, 2016 and charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. On June 16, 2016, ORMOND pled guilty to that charge.

On October 29, 2015, an officer with the Henderson Police Department in Henderson encountered ORMOND walking down the street, and knew him to have outstanding warrants for his arrest. The officer suspected that ORMOND was armed due to the way he was holding his waistband, and attempted to engage ORMOND in conversation. ORMOND attempted to flee on foot and was captured by the officer. Upon taking the defendant into custody, the officer located a 9mm handgun with a large capacity magazine on the defendant. The handgun was loaded with 22 rounds of ammunition.

This case was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative which encourages federal, state, and local agencies to cooperate in a unified “team effort” against gun crime, targeting repeat offenders who continually plague their communities.

The Henderson Police Department, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, North Carolina State Crime Lab, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) conducted the criminal investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette handled the prosecution of this case and Assistant United States Attorney Peggah Wilson handled the sentencing hearing.

Henderson PD Crime of the Month: Hendersonian Suffers Gunshot Wound Inside Residence

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Press Release: April 4, 2017

On March 12, 2017 at approximately 9:33 PM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to 250 Keene Street in reference to a shooting into a residence. Upon arrival officers that Jacqueline Terry had sustained injuries resulting from a gunshot to the leg. There were also four other individuals inside the residence at the time of the shooting whom did not report any injuries. Terry was transported to a local medical facility to receive further treatment for her injuries.

The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.

Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow

HPD Crime of the Month: Individual injured after drive-by shooting

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Press Release: March 1, 2017

On February 25, 2017 at approximately 11:50 PM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to Maria Parham Health in reference to a shooting into an occupied vehicle. Upon arrival, officers spoke with Nakiya Cheek who stated that while at a stop sign at Davis and Nicholas Street a vehicle drove pass and a subject opened fire into her vehicle. As a result Cheek sustained injuries from broken glass.

The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.

Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow